The Pirelli Calendar is an iconic publication. For 52 years, the Italian tyre manufacturer has invited the best photographers and models to collaborate on this project. This year’s edition, entitled “Elements”, pays tribute to the connection between humans and nature and the elements, which are a driving force and source of energy. The photos were taken by Norwegian photographer Sølve Sundsbø, who captured 11 exceptional women from the worlds of fashion, sport, film and music, including Venus Williams, FKA Twigs, Tilda Swinton, Irina Shayk, Isabella Rossellini and Gwendoline Christie.
My vision for this year’s Pirelli 2026 calendar is about the relationship between humans and nature. The protagonists symbolically become the elements that make up the nature that surrounds us. However, we did not seek literalism to show water, fire, air and earth. The models’ emotions also reveal these intangible forces – energy, curiosity about the world, development, ether and light. In the Pirelli calendar, we return to where we come from – that is, to the instincts and elements that have been with us since the dawn of civilisation,” explains photographer and concept creator Sølve Sundsbø.
In the photographer’s vision, the elements take the form of famous, strong, influential women. The calendar features 22 photographs of eleven models from around the world. They are: Scottish actress Tilda Swinton, British actress Gwendoline Christie, British singer-songwriter FKA Twigs, Italian-American actress Isabella Rossellini, American tennis champion Venus Williams, British fashion designer and model Susie Cave (previously featured in Helmut Newton’s 1986 Pirelli calendar, presented in 2014, and in Clive Arrowsmith’s 1991 edition), Italian actress Luisa Ranieri, Russian-born model Irina Shayk, Chinese model and actress Du Juan (featured in Patrick Demarchelier’s 2008 calendar), Czech model Eva Herzigová (featured in Peter Lindbergh’s 1996 edition and Bruce Weber’s 1998 edition) and Puerto Rican-born actress Adria Arjona.
The photographer, who is also passionate about technology, began work on the calendar by collecting shots of nature on Holkham Beach in Norfolk and in the countryside of Essex. Recorded sunrises and sunsets, clouds, wind movement, shapes and forms of water were then reproduced on giant LED screens, which became the backdrop for working with models in studios in New York and London. Each of them interpreted a selected element, embodying it in their own unique way.
See also: Photography | Automotive | Fashion
Production of the session:
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STYLIST: Jerry Stafford
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HAIR: Syd Hayes (London), Ali Pirzadeh (London), Bob Recine (New York)
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MAKE-UP: Val Garland (London), James Kaliardos (New York)
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SET DESIGN: Robbie Doig
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CASTING: Piergiorgio Del Moro
