1960s - Bunny Manual
Poster, 30x20 inches
The objectification of women is so noticeable in every part of a thing or place, that sometimes we were not even aware that we were involved in it.
Working as a Bunny in Playboy club was considered as a glamorous job for young females in 1960s. The Bunny Manual is a guideline wrote by Playboy Club to teach the Bunnies how to dress, do make up, and even smoke. It lays out a specific set of standards for Bunny behavior. Gloria Steinem, an American feminist icon and journalist, goes undercover as a Playboy Bunny in 1963 to experience a bunny's life in Hugh Hefner's New York Playboy Club. On May 1, 1963, she published “A Bunny’s Tale” on Show Magazine.
In “A Bunny’s Tale“, she revealed in vivid detail the humiliating experience of a Playboy Bunny. Steinem was one of the first modern-era women to challenge beauty standards. Her article began a national conversation about the objectification of women.1
1 Sari Rosenberg, May 1, 1963: Gloria Steinem Published “A Bunny’s Tale” and Started a National Conversation About Objectifying Women, LIFETME, MAY 01, 2018, https://www.mylifetime.com/she-did-that/may-1-1963-gloria-steinem-published-a-bunnys-tale-and-started-a-national-conversation-about-objectifying-women
In this project, by demonstrating the Bunny Manual and A Bunny’s Tale in one poster, I want to show how mass media use sex in advertising that promotes the objectification of women to help sell their brand and services.
Bunny Manual - Playboy Club
The following passage is extracted from the Bunny Manual in 1968.
INTRODUCTION TO BUNNY MANUAL
Welcome to the world of Playboy. You can take great pride in being selected as a Bunny; it’s a job that you will find is both unique and exciting. The Playboy Bunny has created a new definition and standard for charm, beauty and friendly service. Playboy Clubs are world-famous for their distinctive decor, unique facilities, good food, man-sized drinks and, particularly, their beautiful Bunnies. To guarantee the high standards which our Keyholders have come to expect, we are extremely selective in our Bunny hiring procedures. For instance, in opening a recent Club, we interviewed 500 girls but only selected 40 as having the personality and physical beauty required of our Bunnies. After a new Bunny is hired, she goes through a complete and detailed training program which enables her to serve our Keyholders, and their guests, rapidly and efficiently.
Welcome to the world of Playboy. You can take great pride in being selected as a Bunny; it’s a job that you will find is both unique and exciting. The Playboy Bunny has created a new definition and standard for charm, beauty and friendly service. Playboy Clubs are world-famous for their distinctive decor, unique facilities, good food, man-sized drinks and, particularly, their beautiful Bunnies. To guarantee the high standards which our Keyholders have come to expect, we are extremely selective in our Bunny hiring procedures. For instance, in opening a recent Club, we interviewed 500 girls but only selected 40 as having the personality and physical beauty required of our Bunnies. After a new Bunny is hired, she goes through a complete and detailed training program which enables her to serve our Keyholders, and their guests, rapidly and efficiently.
DO PLAYBOY CLUB BUNNIES REALLY HAVE GLAMOROUS JOBS, MEET CELEBRITIES, AND MAKE TOP MONEY?
Yes, it's true! Attractive young girls can now earn $200.5300 a week at the fabulous New York Playboy Club, enjoy the glamorous and exciting aura of show business and have the opportunity to travel to other Playboy Clubs throughout the world.
Yes, it's true! Attractive young girls can now earn $200.5300 a week at the fabulous New York Playboy Club, enjoy the glamorous and exciting aura of show business and have the opportunity to travel to other Playboy Clubs throughout the world.
A Bunny’s Tale - Gloria Steinem
A Bunny’s Tale, written in the form of a diary, revealed how the Bunny Manual lied about the work of the Bunnies. The following passage is extracted from A Bunny’s Tale in 1963.
I offered her the personal history I had so painstakingly fabricated and typed, but she gave it back with hardly a glance. "We don't like our girls to have any background," she said firmly, "we just want you to fit the Bunny Image."
The girls, in this reporter's opinion, are the most beautiful ladies ever seen together under one roof. Most of them have superior education as well, and fine breeding. They are trained to give the optimum in restaurant service... . Their earnings are three to ten times as much as they could earn in any similar position.
"One time we all got together and said we'd quit if they didn't pay us more, but they said to go right ahead, they'd just hire more girls." I said maybe the girls had been out-bluffed. A little dark-haired Bunny said sure, it would cost the Club a hell of a lot if we all quit together. What would they do? "Bring in girls from the other Clubs," said baby voice. "You can't win."
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In the poster, I organized the texts in different orientation so the viewers can read clearly between the two contents.
Thank you for watching :)
If you're interested in this project, welcome to my website for more information and more of my works.
