Search
Log-in

The Famously-Risqué Pirelli Calendar Gets a Modest Makeover for 2016

Pirelli Calendar 2016

Photos Credit: Pirelli/Annie Leibovitz

The Pirelli Calendar is well known for its half-naked supermodels and scandalously risqué shots—that's part of what has made it one of the most covetable calendars since its inception in 1964. But for 2016, the famously-naughty calendar got a bit of a feminist makeover. This year, Annie Leibovitz, who was given free reign to select the models, chose a handful of inspirational women to feature that included directors, philanthropists, writers, musicians and financial executives who are, for the most part, modestly dressed and casually posed. While this is the first time the calendar has had just a progressive look, it has pulled away from its erotic imagery in the past. In 2013 photojournalist Steve McCurry shot fully-clothed models in Rio de Janeiro, and in 2014, unseen images from the ‘60s Pirelli photoshoots (which are modest by today’s standards) were used.

Pirelli Calendar 2016

Kathleen Kennedy, Yao Chen, Natalia Vodianova, Agnes Gund with her granddaughter Sadie Rain Hope-Gund, Mellody Hobson, Fran Leibovitz, Serena Williams, Ava DuVernay, Shirin Neshat, Patti Smith, Tavi Gevinson, Yoko Ono and Amy Schumer were all shot for the latest calendar. Schumer was one of the only nude subjects—posing in a pair of high-heels with a latte in one hand. “She got that it was a concept. It was going to be an important aspect of the pictures. She was willing to play that role. I was worried for her,” Leibovitz told Harper’s Bazaar of Schumer’s decision to strip down. “I asked, ‘are you self-conscious?’ And she said, ‘are you kidding? I love my body!’”

Pirelli Calendar 2016

The calendar debuted in London today, and this morning the first few images of the calendar were released online. The photographs showcase each of the women in a black and white portrait, styled by Vanity Fair’s fashion and style director Jessica Diehl. As always, the calendar is not available for purchase, but will be secretly handed out to the brand’s best clients and an undisclosed number of high-profile recipients.

Pirelli Calendar 2016Pirelli Calendar 2016

Marissa Stempien

Marissa Stempien is a freelance writer and editor with a focus on travel, fashion, lifestyle, and culture. Her work has been featured in a number of print and online publications including ABC News, Popsugar, Huffington Post, JustLuxe, Luxury Living and CityGirlGoneMom. Marissa is an avid traveler and is always looking to visit somewhere new or unexplored. Her unique lifestyle has given way to her...(Read More)

Related Articles

Around the web