The 43rd edition of the Pirelli Calendar is causing a stir, ironically, for NOT featuring overtly sexual images as it has been wont to do in previous years.
The 2016 calendar takes, in my humble opinion, a leap forward, by appositely shining the spotlight on talented and accomplished women - among them artists, writers, filmmakers, athletes and philanthropists.
Iconic photographer, Annie Leibovitz, given a free rein in choosing and capturing the faces, decided on women she admired, including director and screenwriter Ava DuVernay, musician and author Patti Smith, comedian Amy Schumer, artist/activist Yoko Ono, business and financial mogul Mellody Hobson, writer Fran Lebowitz, Chinese actress Yao Chen and Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat. Her aim was to show us real women, embracing the moment.
The highlight for me, however, is the stunning photo of the world's greatest tennis champion, Serena Williams. Her beauty, strength, determination and unforgettable spirit are all wonderfully displayed in the image.
In a world that often does not value the lives and accomplishments of women of color, it is a delight to see her shining there, in a pose that clearly states her refusal to let anyone diminish her or hold her back from her dreams.
The 2016 calendar takes, in my humble opinion, a leap forward, by appositely shining the spotlight on talented and accomplished women - among them artists, writers, filmmakers, athletes and philanthropists.
Iconic photographer, Annie Leibovitz, given a free rein in choosing and capturing the faces, decided on women she admired, including director and screenwriter Ava DuVernay, musician and author Patti Smith, comedian Amy Schumer, artist/activist Yoko Ono, business and financial mogul Mellody Hobson, writer Fran Lebowitz, Chinese actress Yao Chen and Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat. Her aim was to show us real women, embracing the moment.
The highlight for me, however, is the stunning photo of the world's greatest tennis champion, Serena Williams. Her beauty, strength, determination and unforgettable spirit are all wonderfully displayed in the image.
In a world that often does not value the lives and accomplishments of women of color, it is a delight to see her shining there, in a pose that clearly states her refusal to let anyone diminish her or hold her back from her dreams.
Serena Williams - Pirelli Calendar 2016