The 2012 Pirelli Calendar Is Here!
The 2012 Pirelli Calendar is here—just in time for the new year! This year's calendar was a nature-themed take from Italian photographer Mario Sorrenti featuring models like Kate Moss and Isabeli Fontana. How does it compare with the Pirelli calendars of past? Will it top last year's Greek and Roman mythology-inspired collection of top models like Bianca Balti shot by Karl Lagerfeld?
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The 2012 Pirelli calendar was crafted by Mario Sorrenti, an Italian photographer who 2011 Pirelli muse Julianne Moore points out is the first Italian photographer to shoot a Pirelli. The newest calendar features natural nude shots of Sorrenti's muses which include Kate Moss, Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly, Lara Stone, Milla Jovovich, Joan Smalls, and more! The pictures were shot in the island of Corsica, but not much else was revealed about the 39th issue of the famous calendar. Until now!
A picture is worth a thousand words. When it comes to the Pirelli Calendars, though, the pictures are worth far more. For more than 40 years, the Pirelli Calendars have shown that you can apply the same formula – feminine beauty, art nudes and amazing locations — in infinite ways. Every year, the Pirelli Company chooses a photographer that can glorify its brand by producing an avant-garde high fashion calendar.
The first Pirelli Calendar edition was released in 1964. It was photographed by Robert Freeman, the photographer known for shooting various Beatles album covers, including “With The Beatles,” “Help” and more. The photoshoot took place in Majorca, Spain. The elegant, semi-erotic, extraordinary pictures of the first Pirelli Calender set forth in motion what has since become an industry phenomenon.
Since Robert Freeman’s classic first shoot, many well-known photographers have participated in the Pirelli Calendar. Annie Leibovich (2000), Mario Testino (2001), Patrick Demarchelier (2005, 2008) and Karl Lagerfeld (2011) are just few of the great photographers who have made their mark on the iconic series. While Pirelli Calendars generally need to strike a mix of art nudes shot in exotic locations, each year’s calendar is entirely distinct.
The calendar has become famous for its limited availability. The Pirelli Company delivers the calendar to a tightly-guarded list of VIP customers and celebrities. For those not on the list, the Pirelli Calendars are made available in several museums.
The locations for Pirelli Calendars are diverse. While some photographers prefer distinct exotic destinations, others feel free in their own studios. Whether it’s the Bahamas, Botswana, Brazil, Tunisia or Karl Lagerfeld’s studio, every Pirelli Calendar offers images that define beauty in an original way.
Supermodels and top models have been the focal point of many Pirelli Calendars. Among the big names, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Isabeli Fontana, Milla Jovovich and many more have been featured in the pictures. Hollywood stars like Sophia Loren, Julianne Moore, Hilary Swank and Penelope Cruz have been there as well.
Watch all Pirelli Calendar's Videos Here
The 2011 Pirelli Calendar, released in November 2010, was photographed by top designer Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld created 36 photos covering 24 different subjects, including Greek and Roman gods, heroes and myths. Hollywood star Julianne Moore posed as Hera, the Goddess of marriage and femininity; Daria Werbowy was Artemis and Penthesilea; Lara Stone - Aphrodite; Iris Strubegger – Athena; Freja Beha Erichsen - Apollo, Pollux and Orpheus; Anja Rubik – Hermes and Terpsichore; Abbey Lee Kershaw -Echo, Castor and Eurydice. The 2011 Calendar was the first to include men in its pages. French model, Baptiste Giabiconi was Narcissus and also Apollo – the God of light and sun. According to Lagerfeld, Baptiste’s looks are on par with a Greek God, which made him perfect for the Calendar.
"Actresses and models bring these new heroes to life and depict a new concept of the beautiful," said Karl Lagerfeld. “With such a concept and boys and girls like this, it was an easy job.”
Karl Lagerfeld set a new idyllic, immortal representation of beauty in his 2011 Pirelli Calendar. This last edition makes it almost impossible to wait for the brand new 2012 Pirelli Calendar.
