The 2016 Pirelli Calendar turns over a new leaf
Much like Page 3 girls, the Royal Family and fax machines, the Pirelli Calendar is seen as something of an anachronism. In another win for the 21st Century, it looks as the prehistoric publication has had a makeover at the hands of legendary photographer, Annie Leibowitz.
1984 (Photo: Uwe Ommer)
If you’re not familiar with the Pirelli Calendar, its an ‘institution’ that, for over 50 years, has circulated a calendar willed with pin-up images of near-naked women to a select (and overwhelmingly male) clientele.
However, some traditions are important and, with one of the world’s most respected photographers at the helm of the 2016 edition, it was always going to be interesting to see if the model could be reinvented.
2015 Anne Ewars (Photo: Steven Meisel)
Well, it certainly has, with a product that now celebrates women of note who have achieved in numerous fields. These portraits, still in black and white showcase Leibowitz’s talent for bringing strong personality via the power of still image.
The full list of women appearing in the calendar are as follows (US-citizens unless stated):
Yao Chen (China) actor
Tavi Gevinson social commenter
Fran Lebowitz author
Yoko Ono artist
Patti Smith singer/songwriter
Amy Schumer comedian
Serena Williams tennis player
Ava DuVernay film director
Mellody Hobson businesswoman
Shirin Neshat (Iran) artist
Agnes Gund philanthropist
Kathleen Kennedy film producer
Natalia Vodianova (Russia) model (Russia)
Amy Schumer’s response to seeing her own photo speaks volumes about the project:
Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman. Thank you @annieleibovitz pic.twitter.com/kc0rIDvHVi
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) November 30, 2015
Here are some more of the images, if you’re not one of the 20,000 people on Pirelli’s VIP mailing list.
Yao Chen (Photo: Annie Liebovitz, 2015)
Tavi Gevinson (Photo: Annie Liebovitz, 2015)
YAgnes Gund (Photo: Annie Liebovitz, 2015)
Patti Smith (Photo: Annie Liebovitz, 2015)
Serena Williams (Photo: Annie Liebovitz, 2015)