Hugh Hefner's son says his father would be 'very proud' of his decision to feature model Ines Rau as its first transgender Playmate on the front cover.

Cooper Hefner, 26, said the porn mogul - who died last year aged 91 - would be happy with what he’s doing since taking over the running of the original lads’ mag.

He told MailOnline: 'I suspect that my father would be proud, otherwise I wouldn't be here.

'He is the reason that I'm in this position. I have a North Star in him now in the job that I do, so I can sit back and I think, 'How does this connect to yesterday's version of the brand?' I like to think that he's smiling and very pleased right now.

Cooper Hefner (centre) said his dad - who died last year aged 91 - would be happy with what he’s doing since taking over the running of Playboy

'One conversation with Ines Rau and you'll very quickly realise that she's a wonderful reflection of a Playmate.

'She's a very special lady. It's pretty special for us to even get an LGBT award nomination.'

Cooper spoke to MailOnline at a party celebrating Playboy’s LGBT award for diversity and inclusivity at London’s Playboy club in Mayfair.

Ines Rau became the first transgender Playmate on the front cover of Playboy

Celebrities including former 80s Playboy model Linda Lusardi and VIP guests partied with Mr Hefner - whose father's estate was worth an estimated $45m – and French model Rau, 28.

But Cooper said that embracing the LGBT community was not ground-breaking for Playboy as he continued: 'I think that all the stances that the company took throughout the early years as well as in the later years have always been remarkably revolutionary.

'By doing this I'm adapting it in a way to make sure that it makes sense to my generation and to the generations to follow.

'I wake up every day and pinch myself. I take a step back to realise how lucky I am to be at this chapter in the organisation.

'We want to celebrate sex in a positive way, predominantly focused from the male point of view. That's something we constantly have conversations about.

'But our magazine strapline 'Entertainment for all' is to say that the brand has grown into something so much larger than the good old boys' club of yesterday.

'Now 50 per cent of all our global consumers are female.'

Cooper – who partied in London with his English Harry Potter actress fiancée and former naked Playboy model Scarlett Byrne, 27 – told how he still misses his father, who he says always stood up for the gay community, eight months on from his death.

Hefner said: 'One conversation with Ines Rau (right) and you'll very quickly realise that she's a wonderful reflection of a Playmate. 'She's a very special lady'

Hefner (centre) said the Playboy brand has grown into something much larger than the 'good old boys' club' of yesterday

Brit actor Samuel Kane (centre left) enjoys the entertainment at Cooper Hefner's VIP party in London while Gail Porter (right) borrows a bunny's ears at the bash

Actress and former model Scarlett Byrne (L) pictured with fiance Cooper Hefner at his VIP party at Playboy Club London to celebrate Playboy's nomination at the British LGBT

Model Tsanna LaTouche partied with Cooper Hefner at the VIP Playboy party

He continued: 'I love my father. I miss him. He was a remarkable dad. Emotional, caring, one of the most sensitive people I've ever met. I don't think that anyone can really relate to it unless they lose a parent.

'For me his death is still very fresh. It's very positive that I get to focus a lot of my energy on the organisation, otherwise I would feel very sad if I were to sit and wallow in it.

'Instead it's like I'm living his legacy every day, for him. I suppose I hear his voice in my head and consider what he would have done in a particular situation.

'His death has brought our family closer together, and I'm grateful for that.'

Playboy Enterprises Chief Creative Officer Cooper is the youngest of Hugh's four children and was born to Hefner's second wife Kimberley Conrad, a former Playmate of the Year, whom he divorced in 2010 after 21 years of marriage.