Playboy 1971 June Magazine (Playboy 1971 Magazines #6)

Lieko English, born on June 3, 1947, in Okinawa, Japan, made history as Playboy's first Japanese-born Playmate when she appeared as the centerfold for June 1971. At 5 feet 5 inches, English brought a unique and exotic beauty to the magazine. Her background as a contestant in the Miss Universe pageant in 1965, where she represented Okinawa, helped pave the way for her modeling career. Photographed by Mario Casilli, her centerfold captured a sense of elegance and sophistication that made her a standout Playmate. English’s presence in Playboy was a significant moment for the magazine, representing a growing diversity in its Playmate selection during the 1970s.

English's early life was marked by her move from Okinawa to Oklahoma City when she was 12, which helped shape her identity as both Japanese and American. This duality of cultures contributed to her unique appeal as a Playmate. After her Playboy appearance, English pursued opportunities in both modeling and acting, leaving behind a legacy of breaking barriers in an industry that was just beginning to embrace a more global perspective. Each issue featuring Lieko English was carefully scanned and uploaded to Kindle from my personal collection.