For France, this reimagining takes on particular significance. French society has grappled with debates surrounding , gender equality, and the role of the state in regulating public morality (e.g., laws banning burkinis on beaches in 2016). While Playboy France has not overtly engaged with these debates, the July 2021 issue features an essay by feminist writer Aminata Traore discussing the tension between liberation and objectification, offering a voice critical of the magazine’s own legacy while acknowledging its historical role in challenging taboos. This duality—celebrating desire while questioning its commodification—characterizes the editorial tone of the season.