Everyone’s talking about this year’s Pirelli Calendar. Normally home to pin-ups and models, the 2016 edition features beautiful and talented women from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions. Shot by renowned fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz, the iconic calendar includes strong, funny and feminist characters like American comedian Amy Schumer, artist Yoko Ono, rocker Patti Smith, fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson and tennis champion Serena Williams.
To celebrate, Cate Blanchett (stunning in Stella McCartney) hosted the launch party at London's Camden Roundhouse and praised her friend Annie for staging "her own mini-revolution"."Here, we have a powerful and potent line-up of women finding a new audience," she told the glamorous guests. "Pirelli has been the gold standard for images of sexy women. Now it is doing back flips and reminding us that women are grand and spectacular and fascinating creatures capable of doing extraordinary things and that is what is sexy."
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, who attended with her husband Christian Horner, commented on how “brave and modern” it was of Pirelli to cast such different women to the usual near-naked beauties. Her comments were echoed by Livia Firth (wearing Erdem and Chopard jewels), who praised the "strong and powerful" role models featured in the new calendar. Guests dined on a winter vegetable salad basket followed by a seared fillet of British beef and Swiss chocolate delice before being entertained by legendary singer Gloria Gaynor. It's safe to say they all went home singing I Will Survive in their heads!