CHICAGO — Playboy Enterprises announced the launch of a global, year-long 50th anniversary celebration in honor of its iconic Playboy Bunny and Playboy Clubs.
The company is marking the occasion with commemorative merchandise and exclusive events around the world, including: 50 Playboy Club parties in 50 cities, all held on one night; a uniquely-commissioned Playboy art exhibition at The Andy Warhol Museum; and newly designed Playboy apparel.
The Playboy Club opened to the public in 1960 in Chicago, spawning a number of nightclubs that featured top names in entertainment and became the home of the iconic Playboy Bunnies. The company said that in 2006 the Bunnies returned with the opening of its Club at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It also plans to open two additional multi-faceted entertainment venues in 2010 in both Miami and Cancun.
In its June 2010 issue, Playboy magazine will celebrate the Playboy Clubs' legacy with a sneak peek at the future of the new nightclubs. Special features will also appear on Playboy.com and Playboy Radio.
Additional anniversary celebrations will include: The World's Sexiest Party on June 10, a global celebration of 50 Playboy Club parties in 50 cities, all held on the same night in domestic and international cities including Las Vegas, Miami, Cancun, London, Hong Kong, San Diego, Chicago and Johannesburg.
In collaboration with its retail partners and licensees Playboy will launch a collection of specially-created 50th anniversary merchandise both in-store and online and at retail outlets including Ann Summers (U.K.), Urban Outfitters (U.S.), and Top Man (U.K.). Products include a line of vintage-inspired Bunny tee shirts, special edition glassware, Bunny-inspired lingerie, and "The Hef" loveseat.
A “Playboy Redux Art Exhibition” in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum is also planned. Playboy has invited more than 20 emerging and established artists to reinterpret the iconic Playboy Bunny in mediums ranging from painting to video.
The Playboy Bunny will be on display at the Pittsburgh museum from March 27 through June 19, 2010, and will feature works by artists including Gary Baseman, Scott Anderson, Jeremy Kost, Tara McPherson, Kalup Linzy and LaToya Ruby Frazier, among others.
For Club party updates, and venue and ticket information, visit PlayboyClub50.com.
Merchandise will be available online at PlayboyClubStore.com.
For art exhibition information visit Playboy.com/Bunny50.
