Deviating from their usual style of showcasing sexual images of the world’s top models, the upcoming Pirelli Calendar is paying tribute to some of the top women influencers in the world. 2016’s Pirelli Calendar is empowered with powerful women who are working on shaping the world today. The less-skin-more-skills images have also been captured by famed woman photographer Annie Leibowitz.
Annie Leibovitz, who also lensed the 2000 edition, has bought the best out of Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Serena Williams, Fran Lebowitz, Amy Schumer, Tavi Gevinson, Ava DuVernay, Natalia Vodianova, Agnes Gund, Kathleen Kennedy, Mellody Hobson, Shirin Neshat, and Yao Chen in front of the camera.
The latest Pirelli Calendar is conceived to celebrate women, of all ages, shapes and sizes, for more than just their skin and bodies. 
Though the pictures of the icons from the calendar will not be released until November 30 in London, take a look at some of the behind-the-scene images from the shoot.
Leibovitz speaks about her keenness to show the real picture, “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.” 
She also added, “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.”
Till then drool over Pirelli Calendar 2015 by Steven Meisel.
Vogue
