Fashion’s sexiest calendar has taken a steep turn into the world of the non-airbrushed and natural female form with its 2016 edition.
The Pirelli calendar has previously featured models such as Gisele, Gigi Hadid and Isabeli Fontana. Now, it’s cast 13 women which Pirelli says are of “outstanding professional, social, cultural, sporting and artistic accomplishment”.
The sharp U-turn sees legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz focus on a series of 13 “distinguished” women including Amy Schumer, Serena Williams, Yoko Ono and Patti Smith. Which certainly makes for a challenging wank.
However, unlike previous incarnations of the calender, this edition is not onsale and will be distributed only to a select number undisclosed recipients. Car mechanics’ walls will be bereft.
The calender also features Style Rookie blogger Tavi Gevinson; Iranian artist Shirin Neshat; actress Yao Chen, the first Chinese UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador; and supermodel Natalia Vodianova for her work as founder of the Naked Heart Russia charity.
This year’s models were advised to keep their clothes on, with Leibovitz joking that Schumer “didn’t get the memo” as she posed in her underwear while sipping on a cup of coffee.
Leibovitz added: “The 2000 Calendar was an exercise in photographing nudes. It was a simple concept. For 2016, we did something completely different, but it is still simple. It is a classic set of black-and-white portraits made in the studio.
“When Pirelli approached me, they said they wanted to make a departure from the past. They suggested the idea of photographing distinguished women. After we agreed on that, the goal was to be very straightforward. I wanted the pictures to show the women exactly as they are, with no pretence.”
Here are some of the women, pretence not included.
1
Amy Schumer
Make mine an Americano
2
Serena Williams
Moving heaven and earth
3
Patti Smith
Because the night belongs to Patti
4
Yao Chen
Acting up
5
Yoko Ono
Octogenarian wonder