In case you missed the big news, Serena Williams has been tapped to be a part of the the 2016 Pirelli Calendar, which is to feature twelve of the world’s most accomplished women. She shared the news and her excitement on Twitter last week.
Guess what?? I am so happy to be part of the next #PirelliCalendar shot by @AnnieLeibovitz !! #thecal
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 18, 2015
In the past, scantily clad models placed in some of the world’s most exotic locations have dominated the Italian tire company’s calendar photos. This next year’s calendar is a complete break from the normal pattern. Some of the most successful, badass, and unapologetic women from Serena Williams to Amy Schumer to Patti Smith will be the stars of the show. And who to shoot this iconic calendar than Annie Leibovitz, one of the most distinguished and well-known female photographers.
Annie Leibovitz wants to showcase the strength and power that these women all have within themselves. To do this, she is limiting any exterior distractions. All of the focus will be on the woman in the photo: her physical presence and, more importantly, her depth of character. “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,” Leibovitz said in a release. “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.”
We would be shocked if Serena Williams had not been picked to help represent today’s most influential women in the world. She has already accomplished so much on and off the tennis court, and it seems like she is only getting started.
