The 52nd edition of the Pirelli Calendar consists of various combinations. It combines nature and technology, the purest and the artificial. “It’s a combination of the digital world and the most primitive body structure. It’s very ancient and at the same time futuristic,” Czech supermodel Eva Herzigova, 52, declared in the video. production of Explain about Sølve Sundsbø (54 years old), the photographer in charge of the 2026 yearbook. The Norwegian desire to combine tradition and innovation is delivered to everyone, including the translation of the calendar page. On the one hand, there are the nude models that featured in the early years of this yearbook. There’s weight and body to be discovered, but it’s handled with an elegance that’s a far cry from the image of the late 20th century, when the expectation of a yearbook was primarily to see bodies. And on the other hand, decisions are being made as if none of the 11 women (11 sons, no, 12) representing each month of 2026 are under the age of 33, which is no longer a new trend in the industry. “I wanted to photograph mature women with experience and depth,” explains Sundsborg.
Unlike previous years, the exclusive calendar, also known as “The Cal,” features male faces such as Idris Elba in 2024 and John Boyega in 2025, but in this new edition, the photographer features alone with the female cast. Herzigova, who has appeared in Pirelli’s calendar three times, is accompanied by models Irina Shayk, 39, and Du Juan, 43. Actresses Tilda Swinton (65), Isabella Rossellini (73), Luisa Ranieri (51), Gwendoline Christie (47), Adria Arjona (33). Designer Susie Cave (59, wife of Nick Cave, also making her third appearance in the yearbook), singer FKA Twigs (37) and tennis star Venus Williams (45).
“I’m a competitor this year and I want to be the best pictured,” Williams commented at the official launch of the calendar, which will be held at a luxury hotel in Prague on November 13 this year. The launch will conclude this Friday with a celebration at the Czech Capital City Hall. “When I finished the session, I thought I had achieved it, but when I looked at the other pictures and these pictures, Women are incredible. I thought, “My son is a very nice person.” It’s great to be in such good company and work with such drool-worthy photographers,” he says with a smile. It’s been less than two months since the tennis player, the only sportswoman of the year, married Italian model Andrea Preti, but she knows she doesn’t need expert advice to grow freely in photo shoots. “I never tell people what I do,” he says with a laugh. of the camera. It’s safe. ”
This calendar revolves around the elements of nature (earth, air, fire, water) and other intangible natural forces such as energy, ether, and light. Sundsborg’s aim was for each woman to represent one of these elements as she swims underwater, rebels in an arena, or is stabbed by a powerful fan. Shooting sessions began in April at Holkham Beach in Norfolk and the Essex countryside, capturing nature images before moving to studios in London and New York. Passionate about technology and experimentation, he used giant LED displays to recreate previously captured natural images of sunsets and clouds as backgrounds for the project’s protagonists. For example, Williams is a fire and Christie is game of thrones of Mierukolesomething abstract like the ether. “I express myself as the element that unites everything, and for me everything that conveys the unity of the world is very important,” the interpreter defines.
Christie said in a recent interview that she had been hearing for years that there was no chance. On screen, it was rated as “too expensive (mid 1.91), too different, too unconventional”. These same characteristics open the door for Margiela to form part of this calendar. The fact that photographers relied on their own faces, beautiful faces like those of Tilda Swinton and FKA Twigs that departed from classic standards, suggests that something is changing. “It’s extraordinary, isn’t it?” Christie commented to EL PAÍS. “He was born in a good time, a time of change. We are moving closer to a deeper acceptance of differences, a more diverse and inclusive beauty perspective, an examination of the existing system and a challenge to everyone. But this journey is not easy and continues. We continue to live in a very conventional society. Not everyone can understand that everyone deserves beauty. So the challenge for me is not over,” he asserts.
Sundsborg may not be as famous as some of the other legendary photographers behind The Cal, Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, Karl Lagerfeld, Bryan Adams…but his work is very well known. He has collaborated with every major fashion brand, from Chanel and Giorgio Armani to Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and has painted pioneering covers for numerous magazines. George Clooney and Brad Pitt were standing in the water with George Clooney and Brad Pitt in front of them. GQ 2024, and this time we went even further and introduced Herzigova, fully immersed in water, on the yearbook page. This year, they can be exchanged to be used in any month, and it doesn’t matter after November. “It was a lesson in surrender, just living in the moment. I had no control over anything. My hair fell to the floor, my arms floated, my makeup melted. But I trusted him completely. I knew he would capture the essence and plasma of a woman,” said the supermodel, who is overjoyed that this year’s presentation will take place in her home country.
Since Prague, Russian model Irina Shayk has also been on the plane, wearing an eye-catching ultra-low-rise ensemble by Spanish designer Luis de Javier at her last presentation, which has been turning heads for years. Curious eyes and cell phone cameras loomed over the curtains that covered her private space. “Chica, every morning when I look at myself in the mirror, I think, ‘It’s time to go to the gym and get in shape.'” look The studied pose chosen for this occasion emphasizes her perfectly toned arms and waist. In 2025, Shayk will walk the Victoria’s Secret runway for the third time. Posing for the Pirelli Calendar, a place where the wind embodies and connects with its positive energy, freshness and liberation, is another of its pending dates, and let us celebrate it as an example of an opening. “I feel like this is a huge step forward in terms of inclusion and unity. This is what you see at the festival. We celebrate women of all ages. It’s very encouraging to finally see all women being celebrated in the fashion industry, because we’re still beautiful at 20, 40, 70 and even 90,” points out.
For Sundsborg, beauty is difficult to define. In his opinion, it should be “interesting and a little challenging.” “Sometimes you don’t notice it right away, but it grows over time,” he recalls. The calendar will never be sold, only an unlimited number of copies will be distributed, but this is on each page. Its aim is to “explore the connection between humans and nature,” but also to explore the connections between each of the protagonists, who despite their distinct differences are ultimately unified. “Here’s a list of people I want to photograph, and most of them are on my calendar,” he says.
—And if you had a long year, who else would you include?
–Oh, that’s not fair! –He answered, pointing to his eyes. It must have included a lot of people… but I couldn’t decide on anyone’s name.
It’s just an idea and anyone could do it.
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