The Pirelli calendar is an annual publication, which begun in 1963, as part of an affiliation with the London based Pirelli tires manufacturer. The publication is released annually, and it is one of the most anticipated calendars to collect. The Pirelli calendar is known for its use of provocative imagery, and for the gorgeous models photographed for its pages.
In past years some of the photographers who have shot the Pirelli calendar include, Mario Testino, Bert Stern, Peter Lindbergh, Karl Lagerfeld, Helmut Newton, and Steven Meisel. These photographers shot the world’s most gorgeous women, including names such as Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bundchen, Natalia Vodianova, Mila Jovovich, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Kate Moss, Alessandra Ambrosio, Penelope Cruz, and Sophia Loren.
This year, is by far the first year that the Pirelli calendar challenge their perception of women, and the public’s perception of women. When you look at a Pirelli Calendar the first thing you feel is that this calendar is designed and executed at the pleasure of a male audience. However this year, instead of using the world’s highest paid model, and instead of investing in women of immense beauty; Pirelli hired the great photographer Annie Liebovitz, to photograph this year’s most influential women. Liebovitz took portraits for cosmopolitan women of influence.
The photographer showcased the true beauty of her subjects, photographing, Amy Schumer, Serena Williams, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Tavi Gevinson, Kathleen Kennedy, Yar Chen, Shirin Neshat, and Agnes Gund.
For the first year Pirelli used inspiring women, that have value beyond aesthetics, what these women have is more than a good figure, and a pretty face, these women are women of substance, and we are happy to be seeing a better approach towards the female body image. Pirelli this year inspired us; it enticed our minds, and made us enjoy the content and value given to these women, who truly deserve recognition and appreciation.
