journal

Playboy Returns

We’ve had our fair share of famous and infamous parties, but few have proven as memorable as the New Year’s Eve bash in 2018 celebrating the legendary Playboy himself, Mr. Hugh Hefner. Mere months after his passing his son Cooper Hefner, along with 300 of the Rabbit’s closest friends and family, took over the entire ground floor of The Culver hotel for a retrospective evening of fun, fantasy and revelry.

We’ve had our fair share of famous and infamous parties, but few have proven as memorable as the New Year’s Eve bash in 2018 celebrating the legendary Playboy himself, Mr. Hugh Hefner. Mere months after his passing his son Cooper Hefner, along with 300 of the Rabbit’s closest friends and family, took over the entire ground floor of The Culver hotel for a retrospective evening of fun, fantasy and revelry. This was not the first time we had Playboy in-house, however. Our connection began in 2014 when the Culver Hotel was picked as the backdrop for the magazine’s March 2014 cover story featuring stunner Jennifer Humphrey, beautifully photographed by Michael Bernard.

True to Playboy’s hedonistic reputation, the New Year’s Eve party was entertaining, seductive and likely reminiscent of Mr. Hefner’s legendary Playboy Mansion parties. Guests were asked to dress in “black tie, ball dress or lingerie.” The larger than life iconic “bunny” was projected onto the tip of the flatiron façade of the hotel for the entire City to enjoy. Inside, silver-costumed bunnies mingled with the crowd and took photos, as tribute black and white videos of Hugh Hefner’s extraordinary life streamed on the walls. Playboy memorabilia was displayed throughout, including the magazine’s first and most famous “Marilyn” issue, while a special Playboy Club Key gained attendees access to a special “Bunny Cave”. Showgirls in shimmering top hats performed a number to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and band Night Owl lit up the dance floor.

Under twinkling lights in the garden, and chandeliers in the Grand Lobby, guests dined on white glove-passed hors d’oeuvres and champagne. As the clock struck midnight, Cooper Hefner, who appeared dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie, took the stage to honor his late father and thank the crowd for coming out to celebrate the Playboy legacy.

The magazine returned to the hotel to host their Playboy Holiday Party once again offering a sneak peek at the Winter 2020 issue titled, “The Equality Issue: Once a Playmate, Always a Playmate,” celebrating diversity, female empowerment and five decades of Playmates.

Now that is truly something worth celebrating!