Serena Williams, Amy Schumer, Yoko Ono & More Take the Place of Top Models in the 2016 Pirelli Calendar

Amy Schumer with Annie Liebovitz behind-the-scenes. Photo: 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 of sexiest 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.”

Serena Williams an Annie Liebovitz behind-the-scenes. Photo: Courtesy of Pirelli

The forthcoming project promises a “radical and inspirational departure from previous years,” with Williams being joined by Natalia Vodianova, Kathleen Kennedy, Yao Chen, Yoko Ono, Mellody Hobson, Fran Lebowitz, Ava Duvernay, Agnes Gund, Patti Smith, Amy Schumer, Shrin Neshat, and Tavi Gevinson.

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 just the tip of Pirelli’s makeover.

Yoko Ono in her signature look. Courtesy of Pirelli

“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,” Liebovitz said. “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.”

Look for the new and improved version come November 2015.

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