Fri, 03 October 2008 04:00:25 ET
Model Lily Cole has appeared nude on the cover of French Playboy magazine for its October issue. Despite controversy surrounding the cover, she considered her nude photos for the magazine as part of art.
Lily tried to justify her decision to strip for the men's magazine, saying "nudity has always existed in art, and I think that, given the right conditions." She added, "it doesn't necessarily 'debase' any more than it celebrates or represents the human body."
Lily posed for French Playboy's cover wearing only white socks. She was photographed hugging a giant pink Teddy bear. The shoot is said to be inspired by the cover of French musician Serge Gainsbourg's 1971 album "Histoire de Melody Nelson." Aside from the , she also posed in a variety of sexy naked photos inside the magazine across a 14-page spread.
Lily's decision to pose nude for the publication has triggered controversy even before the magazine is released. Some people have asked Marks and Spencer (M'n'S), for which Lily serves as its model, to drop her. Moreover, a Christian group also made a protest and asked customers to boycott the store.
However, a spokesperson for M'n'S said, "Lily Cole is a popular, high-profile model who is very much in demand, and this is one of the key reasons why we have chosen to work with her." The spokesperson then added that M'n'S won't block her career, saying "it's entirely her own choice as to what other work she accepts and we would not wish to interfere with her career."
Meanwhile, fashion director of French Playboy Alex Aikiu believed that Lily is the essence of the magazine. "For us, Playboy isn't Pamela Anderson. It doesn't matter how big your boobs are - it's about what's inside the woman. It's all about being sweet and innocent," Alex stated.
Posted by Staff Writer
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Lily Cole