A calendar is a great way to keep track of your events and appointments throughout the year and there are many such calendars out there for motoring enthusiasts. One of the most popular, however, is from the Pirelli tyre company.
Of course, looking at car tyres throughout the year would get a little dull (even for us) so Pirelli offers something a little different.
However, the 2017 Pirelli Calendar - known as The Cal for short - is a little different. To understand why this calendar is so important, it helps to understand the history of the product, in addition learning about next year’s changes.
One of the most famous photographs from Pirelli’s calendar history. Source: Pirelli.
The history of the Pirelli calendar
The first calendar appeared in 1963, developed by Pirelli’s UK operations. It was released in limited numbers, often as a gift to important customers, as well as associated celebrities. Indeed, this is something that continues to this day, making Pirelli’s calendar a much sought after piece of merchandise.
: An example of one of the earlier Pirelli calendars. Source: Pirelli.
Since 1963, a new calendar as released every year until 1974, when the oil crisis of the previous year required Pirelli to make various cutbacks where possible, with the calendar being one such sacrifice.
However, it was brought back in 1984 and has been a popular product ever since.
The photographs
As we already mentioned, an entire calendar of car tyres would not be the most exciting, so Pirelli has always preferred to shoot various models instead. Typically, this has involved more risque shots, more in tone with pinup posters, featuring various famous supermodels.
Cindy Crawford, appearing in the 1994 calendar. Source; Pirelli.
This year’s photos
Last year, the calendar moved away from its traditional style, opening up the calendar to a wider range of models and famous faces. This year is no different, featuring an array of women in various artistic shots.
For the Pirelli Calendar 2017 photoshoot, photographer Peter Lindbergh (who also co-photographed the 2014 calendar and previously oversaw the 1996 and 2002 releases) has selected a range of models, including:
- Alicia Vikander - Actress / Dancer
- Nicole Kidman - Actress / Film Producer
- Zhang Ziyi - Actress / Model
- Julianne Moore - Actress
- Uma Thurman - Actress / Model
- Rooney Mara - Actress / Philanthropist
- Robin Wright - Actress / Director
- Jessica Chastain - Actress / Film Producer
- Kate Winslet - Actress / Singer
- Penelope Cruz Sanchez - Actress / Model
- Lupita Amondi Nyong’o - Actress
- Charlotte Rampling - Actress / Model / Singer
- Helen Mirren - Actress
- Lea Seydoux - Actress
- Anastasia Ignatova - Entrepreneur / Lecturer
While the final photographs have to be released, Pirelli have released some behind the scenes photos, taken during the various shoots that will form parts of 2017’s calendar:
Uma Thurman, posing for the 2017 Pirelli calendar. Source: Pirelli, Alessandro Scotti.
Nicole Kidman, posing for the 2017 Pirelli calendar. Source: Pirelli, Alessandro Scotti.
Kate Winslet, posing for the 2017 Pirelli calendar. Source: Pirelli, Alessandro Scotti.
As you’ll notice, there are no nude shots, a big contrast to previous editions. According to Lindbergh himself, this year’s calendar “strips the actresses' soul. The Cal™ 2017 – he stated – will be a calendar about sensitivity, emotions, and by no means about perfect bodies”.
Of course, it’s very hard to get hold of any of these calendars, as they are a very exclusive item. Pirelli does, however, often release photograph books with the final images, which are also sought out by various enthusiasts.