14 DAY TRIAL // The Pirelli Calendar comes out yearly and is printed in a limited number of copies that are then sent to exclusive clients only. This makes the release of the annual calendar an event in and of itself, and whoever lands the gig of posing for it a true star.
Last year, Pirelli went for a fetish-inspired theme with some of the hottest new models on the scene, including one of the current reigning queens of Instagram, Gigi Hadid. For the 2016 edition, which actually started shooting in May, Pirelli is switching it up a bit.
No models, just role models
Instead of featuring actual models, the next edition of the Pirelli Calendar will feature only role models, i.e. women who inspire other women to excel and better themselves in their respective field of activity.
A preview has been released online, to the New York Mag (see the video below), and while editing makes it difficult to be able to recognize all the women in it, it offers an idea of the theme they’re going for.
This issue will be representative of “our time” so, instead of showing actual models, it will show the likes of tennis ace Serena Williams, feminist author Patti Smith, John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono, fashion blogger and media mogul Tavi Gevinson, director Ava DuVernay, and author Fran Lebowitz.
Pirelli calls the upcoming issue a “radical and inspirational departure from previous years,” which is true because, for once, it won’t be about being a tribute to the body of the woman, but of the woman herself (and her accomplishments).
Serena Williams, a true role model
As you can see from the tweet below, Serena Williams has already confirmed the fact that she will be included in the 2016 edition of the Calendar, but she hasn’t offered more details about the photoshoot.
Right now, she’s busy promoting her very own fashion collection, which she debuted at New York Fashion Week 2015, but even if she had more spare time on her hands, chances are she wouldn’t be spilling the beans about the Pirelli shoot on social media.
In recent months, Serena has emerged as a true feminist hero, with millions of fans showing her love and support for the graceful way she responded to body-shaming. After being told she had the body of a man, she stressed that she was an athlete so she had the body of one. But that didn’t make her any less of a woman.
Guess what?? I am so happy to be part of the next #PirelliCalendar shot by @AnnieLeibovitz !! #thecal
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 18, 2015