Pirelli Calendar replaces nude supermodels with Oscar-winning actresses

A change is a comin’

Last year, the team behind the legendary Pirelli calendar shocked (and mostly delighted) the world when, in place of the usual buxom and reclining supermodels with come-hither stares, they cast a mix of inspiring women from a wide range of professions; from Serena Williams and Patti Smith, to Tavi Gevinson and Amy Schumer.

For 2017, Pirelli announced that they will fill their next calendar with talented actresses and inspirational 'special guests'. ‘The idea of the calendar is to show what real beauty comes from and not what people impose on you to believe is beautiful,’ Peter Lindbergh, the famed fashion photographer who shot the calendar for the third time this year, told WWD.

Photo: instagram/therealpeterlindbergh

Things have changed significantly since Lindbergh first shot the Pirelli calendar in 1996 and in 2002. ‘For the calendar I shot in 2002, I photographed naked models and I thought it was really boring,’ he admitted. ‘Talent is more important than nice body parts.’ Hear, hear!

Released in November, the 2017 calendar includes Rooney Mara, Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman, Alicia Vikander, Lupita Nyong’o, Robin Wright, Penelope Cruz, Helen Mirren, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet and Charlotte Rampling. One of the ‘special guests’ is Anastasia Ignatova, who isn't an actress, but rather teaches political theory at Moscow State University.

Photo: instagram/rooneymaradaily

Lindbergh shot the actresses over the course of four weeks in Berlin, London, Los Angeles and Le Touquet, a region in northern France. His creative team also included legendary hair stylist Odile Gilbert; make up artist with a capital M Stephane Marais; and super-stylist Julia Von Boehm. Go Team!

And they've just released even more images, starring the likes of Robin Wright, Jessica Chastain and Julianne Moore and it's all about celebrating and embracing natural beauty. See the latest photos below...