Serena Williams, Tavi Gevinson, Yoko Ono & More Unlikely Models Will Appear in the 2016 Pirelli Calendar

Joan Smalls in the 2015 Pirelli calendar. Photo: Steven Meisel/Courtesy of Pirelli

For a tire company, Pirelli really has its eye on what’s hot. The Italian brand releases an annual calendar, shooting the upper echelon of sexy models in provocative poses wearing latex, leather, or next-to-nothing clothes for its customers to pin up in their auto shops, garages, or even bedrooms. For 2016′s version though, Annie Liebovitz shot 12 women, one for each month, and took a different direction than usual.

In an unprecedented move, the Pirelli calendar will feature women with accomplishments other than hours clocked at the gym and good genes. Serena Williams, tennis superstar and fashion mogul, confirmed her participation on Twitter when she shared her excitement. The company echoed her enthusiasm, writing in response, “We can’t wait to share the new calendar! Thank you ladies for being part of our special project.”

New York Magazine posted a video tease of the forthcoming project which promises a “radical and inspirational departure from previous years.” Photography started in May, and based on the behind-the-scenes snippet, Williams will be joined by author Fran Lebowitz, Patti Smith, Tavi Gevinson, director Ava DuVernay, Yoko Ono, and six more unidentified women.

Picturing these women as opposed to the Gigi Hadids, Isabeli Fontanas, and Adriana Limas of the world in “The Cal” is a major deviation from the marketing material’s norm. Last year’s edition included size 16 model Candice Huffine in the largely NSFW shoot, which was, at the time, considered a major divergence. But now it seems the inclusion of a plus size model was the tip of Pirelli’s makeover. Look for the new and improved version come November 2015.

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