+16A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
Jeff Timmons and the Chippendales Host the 'Pleasure Pool Bikini Contest'
Jeff Timmons and the 'Chippendales' dancers host Pleasure Pool Bikini Contest at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegsas, NV on August 6th, 2011. (Photo by Fame Pictures)
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
2009 CineVegas Film Festival - Day 4 - "Asylum Seekers" Red Carpet
Ashley Matthews (C) with the Chippendales arrive at the "Asylum Seekers" red carpet during the 11th annual CineVegas film festival held at Brenden Theatres inside the Palms Casino Resort on June 13, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for CineVegas)
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
Fear The Walking Dead Survival At The Fremont Street Experience
Chippendales dancer Okewa Garrett, actor/model Tyson Beckford and Chippendales dancer James Davis attend the Fear the Walking Dead Survival attraction grand opening at the Fremont Street Experience on August 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for AMC)
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
Vienna Girardi Hosts "The Ultimate Girls Night Out!" At Chippendales
Television personality Vienna Girardi (C) poses with Chippendales dancers (L-R) Kenny King, Jaymes Vaughan, James Davis, John Rivera, Juan DeAngelo, James Wilcox, Nathan Minor and Chaun Thomas Williams as Girardi hosts the "Ultimate Girls Night Out!" at the Chippendales show at the Rio Hotel & Casino November 5, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
Vienna Girardi Hosts "The Ultimate Girls Night Out!" At Chippendales
Television personality Vienna Girardi (C) poses with Chippendales dancers as she hosts the "Ultimate Girls Night Out!" at the Chippendales show at the Rio Hotel & Casino November 5, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
Leah Remini Attends Chippendales Starring Former Dance Partner Tony Dovolani At The Rio Hotel & Casino
Chippendales dancers Ryan Kelsey, Okewa Garrett, actress Leah Remini, Chippendales dancer Ryan Worley and professional Dancer and Chippendales celebrity guest host Tony Dovolani attend Chippendales at the Rio Hotel & Casino on May 19, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images)
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
A look back at Chippendales — PHOTOS
Chippendales Calendar Shoot
Chippendales dancers Garrett Plante of Rhode Island, Bryan Cheatham of Texas, Charles Dera of Pennsylvania and Jeff Kosinski of Massachusetts, pose at the Rio Hotel & Casino during the Chippendales' annual calendar photo shoot August 1, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Back in 1979 Chippendales became the first all-male stripping troupe to take America by storm. They are famous for their costume of a bow tie, collar, and shirt cuffs are worn on an otherwise bare torso.
The male dance revue where men stripped down to padded thongs while throngs of women gasped and ogled and cheered. Founded in 1979 by Steve Banerjee, an Indian immigrant attempting to turn his run-down nightclub into a star-studded must-visit venue, Chippendales arrived on the scene after a decade of feminist activism was beginning to hit a wall.
As the effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment stalled in the states, Chippendales offered a new version of women’s equality: the right of women to lust after scantily clad men.
That, anyway, was the sales pitch: that women could turn the table on men by coming down to the club on the west side of L.A. to watch them strip. That it would be empowering. Liberating. And while that peering-at-pecs-as-praxis may seem eye-rolling today, one feminist saw Chippendales as an opportunity to press the case for equality.
Through the years, celebrities have been making guest appearances with the troupe over the years. Hotties such as Nyle DiMarco, Jeff Timmons, Tyson Beckford, Ronnie Margo, Ian Ziering and others.
Launch the gallery above to see more photo of the Chippendales men.
