Mayfair's Relationship with the British Tabloid Press
The magazine occasionally intersected with the tabloid press, especially when models or contributors became subjects of public interest or controversy. This relationship heightened Mayfair's public profile, though sometimes attracting scrutiny. For example, in 1968, model Jean Shrimpton was featured in an issue of Mayfair that included photographs showing her breast exposed while sunbathing topless. When she appeared at the Derby horse race dressed in a miniskirt without stockings, it caused a sensation. The ensuing media coverage resulted in Mayfair being criticized for "sexploitation" and led to the resignation of its editor, Patrick Casey. Despite this incident, Mayfair continued to feature provocative images and stories that caught the attention of the tabloids. In 1984, the Daily Mirror ran a story about an advertisement in the magazine offering women £500 to pose nude for photos. Later, Mayfair published an interview with porn star Linda Lovelace, who claimed that she had been coerced into making adult films by her husband. Her subsequent arrest prompted investigations into the magazine's editorial practices. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mayfair also covered topics such as bondage and sadomasochism, which were often reported on by the tabloids. In 2003, the magazine ceased publication after nearly 60 years in circulation.
Mayfair's Relationship with the British Tabloid Press
The magazine occasionally intersected with the tabloid press, especially when models or contributors became subjects of public interest or controversy. This relationship heightened Mayfair's public profile, though sometimes attracting scrutiny. For example, in 1968, model Jean Shrimpton was featured in an issue of Mayfair that included photographs showing her breast exposed while sunbathing topless. When she appeared at the Derby horse race dressed in a miniskirt without stockings, it caused a sensation. The ensuing media coverage resulted in Mayfair being criticized for "sexploitation" and led to the resignation of its editor, Patrick Casey. Despite this incident, Mayfair continued to feature provocative images and stories that caught the attention of the tabloids. In 1984, the Daily Mirror ran a story about an advertisement in the magazine offering women £500 to pose nude for photos. Later, Mayfair published an interview with porn star Linda Lovelace, who claimed that she had been coerced into making adult films by her husband. Her subsequent arrest prompted investigations into the magazine's editorial practices. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mayfair also covered topics such as bondage and sadomasochism, which were often reported on by the tabloids. In 2003, the magazine ceased publication after nearly 60 years in circulation.
Mayfair's Relationship with the British Tabloid Press: Conclusion
The complex relationship between Mayfair and the British tabloid press has had both positive and negative effects on the magazine's public profile. On one hand, exposure in the tabloids helped raise awareness and increase sales. However, controversies involving models and contributors led to criticism and scrutiny from moralists and regulators. Ultimately, this dynamic played a role in the decision to cease publication after 60 years in circulation.