Fashion
The 2016 Pirelli Calendar Is Super Empowering
For 50 years, the Pirelli Calendar has been reserved for the biggest names in modeling, but this time around, it's getting a new look. Amy Schumer will appear in the 2016 Pirelli Calendar, along with eleven other powerful women. This is a major win for women everywhere, and I can't think of anyone better to grace the calendar's iconic pages.
Considering last year's theme was "fetish" and featured Gigi Hadid in an all-leather onesie, this year's theme of female achievement is a big change. According to The Cut, no one will be nude in this year's calendar like models have been in past editions, and, although it used to only feature supermodels, the magazine is opting to include powerful women in other professions as well.
All 12 women appearing in the calendar come from a variety of backgrounds, but have one thing in common — they are trailblazers. These women are leading the way for future generations to go after their dreams, no matter what stands in their way. This year's calendar is a win for women everywhere.
"I started to think about the roles that women play, women who have achieved something. I wanted to make a classic set of portraits. I thought that the women should look strong but natural and I decided to keep it a very simple exercise of shooting in the studio. This calendar is so completely different. It is a departure. The idea was not to have any pretense in these pictures and be very straightforward," photographer Annie Leibovitz said in a statement.
With such a strong group of women, I have no doubt that this calendar will be the best one yet.
Let's meet the featured women, shall we?
1. Kathleen Kennedy
Kennedy is an accomplished producer who has produced the most recent Star Wars movies as well as the original Jurassic Park.
2. Yao Chen
This actress has over 71 million fans as of last year and is included in Forbes list of most powerful women. She is clearly the perfect candidate for the women's achievement theme.
3. Serena Williams
On top of being number one in women's singles tennis, Williams also just showed her first collection during New York Fashion Week.
4. Yoko Ono
The peace activist and artist is well-known for her creative projects and public speaking.
5. Mellody Hobson
Hopson is an accomplished businesswoman who is well-known for her inspiring TED Talk.
6. Fran Lebowitz
Lebowitz is a New York-based writer who has worked for some of the most noted publications.
7. Ava Duvernay
This woman is well known as a director and screen writer. She's also shares advice on how to get ahead in the industry.
8. Agnes Gund
Gund if the former president of New York's Museum of Modern Art and is also a philanthropist. She's one of the most well-known voices in advocating for art education.
9. Patti Smith
Smith is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to both songwriting and feminism.
10. Amy Schumer
It's been a good year for Schumer, and it looks like 2016 won't be any different. She just won an Emmy for her show Inside Amy Schumer and is one of the leading female comedians in the biz.
11. Shirin Neshat
Neshat is an Iranian artist, who creates powerful and visually inspiring images that have the power to change the way people look at the world.
12. Tavi Gevinson
Rounding out the calendar, Gevinson has had a long career in writing, editing, and acting even at the young age of 19. She's come a long way since she started her blog Style Rookie and isn't stopping anytime soon.
I can't think of a better roster to represent women's empowerment!