<Dl> <Dt> Costume </Dt> </Dl> <P> The original Playboy Bunny costume was created by the mother of Ilse Taurins, a Latvian emigre who was dating one of the Playboy Club co-founders at the time, Victor Lownes lll . Ms. Taurins had suggested a costume modeled on the Playboy Magazine trademark, a rabbit or bunny . She had her mother, who was a seamstress, make up a prototype, which was then reviewed at a meeting attended by Playboy Club co-founders Hugh Hefner, Victor Lownes and Arnold Morton, as well as frequent Playboy illustrator LeRoy Neiman . </P> <P> At first, the outfit was underwhelming, looking much like a one piece swimsuit, with a white yarn puff tail and a headband with bunny ears . However, Hefner reportedly saw promise in it, and suggested modifications to make it more visually appealing, such as cutting the leg much higher on the hip, exposing more of the wearer's leg and sharpening the v - shape of the costume . For mass production, the costume was manufactured for the Playboy Clubs by the Chicago - based Kabo Corset Company, and was based upon a "merry widow" style of corset within their line . </P> <P> Later, in 1962, French fashion designer Renee Blot was retained to refine the design, and her revisions included making the ears smaller, and adding a collar with bow tie and cuffs with rabbit - head cufflinks, and a satin rosette with the bunny's name, worn on the hip . The original costumes were made in 12 colours of rayon satin . Several years later, Playboy engaged a prominent manufacturer of lingerie and swimwear to create a modified bunny costume that used washable stretch knit fabrics, allowing for costumes in vibrant prints as well as solid colors . The standard stockings also evolved from fishnet material to a special sheer pantyhose style supplied by Danskin . Bunnies wore two pair of these sheer stockings, one taupe toned over which was another pair in black . </P>

How old do you have to be a playboy bunny