Playboy's founder, in brief

HEF

Think of the iconic silk robe and pipe often associated with this magazine mogul.

This clue refers to Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, who was widely known by his nickname "Hef." The "in brief" part signals that the answer is an abbreviation or shortened form of his name. Since crosswords often use informal or common nicknames, "HEF" fits perfectly as the concise answer.