Pirelli's 2023 calendar celebrates passion behind the models

MILAN (AP) — Top fashion models are used to having a camera lens trained on them. But Ashley Graham, Precious Lee, Guinevere Van Seenus and Lauren Wasser say they truly feel seen in the images of them appearing in the 2023 Pirelli calendar, which highlights their personal passions.

Australian fashion photographer Emma Summerton cast 14 of the world’s most high-profile models in the calendar unveiled Wednesday, titled “Love Letters to the Muse.” Summerton collaborated with each to create archetypes of women who have inspired her.

Karlie Kloss appears as the tech savant, Emily Ratajkowski as the writer, Cara Delevingne as the performer and Sasha Pivovarova as the painter, each a reference to passions beyond the runway and photo shoots.

“I wanted to give a platform to all the women to talk about who they are and what they do, and celebrate them,’’ Summerton said. “I think hearing all these great women talk about their journey, who they are, hopefully really inspiring for other women -- and a learning thing for men to know more about women.”

The Pirelli calendar, now in its 49th edition since 1964, has evolved from its pinup origins into a major platform for art photographers, more recently moving away from nudity. For the models in the 2023 calendar, the experience was all about empowerment.

“It’s not your daddy’s kind of calendar anymore,’’ said Graham, who has campaigned for body inclusivity in the fashion industry. “It’s definitely something that is made by women for women, empowering all different types of people. And I think that that’s what people want to see now.”

“A lot of times when I come on set I’m a character, or I’m selling something,’’ Graham added. “And in this, I got to be myself. I’m the activist, I’m...