Traditionally, the Pirelli calendar features stunning supermodels in varying states of undress. Though one supermodel (Natalia Vodianova) appears in the 43rd edition, which launched today, the new roster spans across age, shape and profession. Pirelli enlisted women like tennis icon Serena Williams, comedian Amy Schumer, director Ava DuVernay and former blogger/magazine editor Tavi Gevinson.
Courtesy: Pirelli
Photographer Annie Leibovitz is the genius behind this year’s new direction. “Pirelli came to me and told me they wanted to shift this year to something different,” she said at today’s press conference. “I made the suggestion that they do women performance artists or women comedians, almost a take-off. I just thought of women I admired and I didn’t let anyone in the studio from Pirelli. It became a very strong set of very simple portraits.” The portraits include a topless Amy Schumer with her rolls proudly on display, Tavi Gevinson fully clothed and lounging on a chair, and Serena Williams facing away from the camera while flaunting her famously sculpted, curvy frame. Images are accompanied by paragraphs about each woman’s spectacular achievements in every arena from sports to philanthropy.
Courtesy: Pirelli
In both format and aesthetic, the new calendar is a diversion from the scantily-clad models of the past. Marco Tronchetti Provera, the Pirelli chairman and chief executive, told The New York Times the calendar “reflects contemporary society” implying that as times change, the vision will evolve again. In other words, don’t count out models for the 2017 edition.
[via The New York Times]
