The Beautiful Women of the 2017 Pirelli Calendar

By Jerry Perez - December 1, 2016

2017 is just around the corner, and with the new year comes a plethora of “new” things — some wanted and some not. Needless to say, the 2017 Pirelli calendar is one of the things we do look forward to.

Before you start looking for new year’s specials at your local gym, you should look into ordering one of these bad boys for yourself, as the camera work, the venues, and of course — the models are world-class. Then again, what would you expect from one of the most revered calendars in the industry?

Going into its staggering 44th edition, the 2017 Pirelli Calendar features one of the world’s top photographers, Peter Lindbergh, who follows Annie Leibovitz from the 2016 edition. Shockingly, the German photography master is the only artist to have been asked to produce the Pirelli Calendar for the third time. It was Peter who shot the Calendar of 1996 in the El Mirage desert in California, and the one from 2002 at the studios of Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles. In 2014, it was again Lindbergh, together with Patrick Demarchelier, who took the photographs to celebrate 50 years of the Calendar, which was first launched in 1964.

While most automotive related-ish calendars tend to follow a particular (more sensual) theme with their models, the underlying theme of the 2017 Pirelli calendar is much classier.

“In a time when women are represented in the media and everywhere else, as ambassadors of perfection and youth, I thought it was important to remind everyone that there is a different beauty, more real and truthful and not manipulated by commercial or any other interests, a beauty which speaks about individuality, courage to be yourself and your own private sensibility,” says Lindbergh. “My aim was to portray women in a different way, and I did it by calling in actresses who’ve played an important role in my life, getting as close as possible to them to take my photos. As an artist, I feel I’m responsible for freeing women from the idea of eternal youth and perfection. The ideal of perfect beauty promoted by society is something that simply can’t be attained.”

14 renowned actresses from around the globe took part in the 2017 Pirelli calendar including Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, Helen Mirren, Julianne Moore, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlotte Rampling, Lea Seydoux, Uma Thurman, Alicia Vikander, Kate Winslet, Robin Wright, and Zhang Ziyi. The intricate photoshoots took place across Berlin, Los Angeles, New York, London, and the beach at Le Touquet in France. Take a look at the “Making of” video and gallery below for more.