Amy Schumer Strips Down for 2016 Pirelli Calendar
Amy Schumer in the 2016 Pirelli calendar. (Photo: Annie Leibovitz)
Images from the 2016 Pirelli calendar shot by Annie Leibovitz have been released today. Rather than the sexed up, completely nude models of former Pirelli calendars, you’ll find 13 women of outstanding professional, social, cultural, sporting, and artistic accomplishments. Producer Kathleen Kennedy, the chairperson of Lucasfilm; art collector and patron Agnes Gund (with her granddaughter Sadie Rain Hope-Gund), President Emerita of the Museum of Modern Art; and critic and writer Fran Lebowitz are a few of the smart, successful women in the calendar.
“When Pirelli approached me, they said they wanted to make a departure from the past. They suggested the idea of photographing distinguished women,” Leibovitz explained. 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 pretense.”
Serena Williams in the 2016 Pirelli calendar. (Photo: Annie Leibovitz)
“The 2000 calendar was an exercise in photographing nudes. It was a simple concept,” Leibovitz said in a press release. “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.” The newly launched website also offers behind-the-scenes imagery — including photos from decades past that have never been seen before.
Yao Chen in the 2016 Pirelli calendar. (Photo: Annie Leibovitz)
Actress and comedian Amy Schumer and tennis player Serena Williams are the only women featured who are almost nude — just almost. “I’m a great admirer of comediennes. The Amy Schumer portrait added some fun. It’s as if she didn’t get the memo saying that she could keep her clothes on,” Leibowitz said. The 11 other women photographed for the 2016 calendar are:
Actress Yao Chen, the first Chinese UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
Russian top model Natalia Vodianova, founder of the charity Naked Heart Foundation
Producer Kathleen Kennedy, the chairperson of Lucasfilm
Art collector and patron Agnes Gund (with her granddaughter Sadie Rain Hope-Gund), President Emerita of the Museum of Modern Art
Opinion leader, critic, and writer Fran Lebowitz
The president of Ariel Investments, Mellody Hobson, who supports charity projects in Chicago
Film director Ava DuVernay, whose films include Selma, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2015
Writer and actress Tavi Gevinson, founder of Style Rookie and online magazine Rookie
Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat
Musician and performer Yoko Ono
Singer and legendary rock star Patti Smith
Patti Smith in the 2016 Pirelli calendar. (Photo: Annie Leibovitz)
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