Tennis star Venus Williams, singer FKA Twigs, supermodel Irina Shayk, “Game of Thrones” actress Gwendoline Christie and Oscar winner Tilda Swinton are among the stars featured in Pirelli’s 2026 calendar.
The photographer for the 52nd edition of the calendar – known as The Cal – is London-based creative Sølve Sundsbø and photos were taken in Norfolk and Essex, England, as well as New York City.
In behind-the-scenes images that offer a preview of the star-studded pages, the forthcoming calendar models pose artistically against backgrounds that blend aquatics, the floral world and sky. The full slate of images will be released later this year.
“I want to capture emotions, instincts and states of mind that’s central to human life so: longing for freedom, curiosity, thirst of knowledge, I guess you can call it,” Sundsbø said in a news release. “Some kind of mystery, imagination, passions, the desire for emancipation, the connection with nature and our relationship with time and space.”
Other calendar stars in the 2026 edition include ’90s supermodel Eva Herzigová, ex-Vampire’s Wife designer Susie Cave, “Blink Twice” star Adria Arjona, groundbreaking model Du Juan, Italian actress Luisa Ranieri and Oscar nominee Isabella Rossellini, who recently starred in “Conclave.”
Former “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi, “Queen & Slim” leading lady Jodie Turner-Smith, “Bridgerton” star Simone Ashley, “Star Wars” actor John Boyega and “Euphoria” breakout Hunter Schafer appeared in last year’s calendar.
Idris Elba, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Kristen Stewart, Rosalía, Emma Watson, Cher and Iggy Pop are among other famous faces who appeared on The Cal in recent years.
The Cal “was born as an exclusive project” of Pirelli’s British subsidiary in 1964, as it sought a marketing strategy to differentiate the brand from the competition, according to the company. The calendar was conceptualized as a gift to the tire manufacturer’s clients.
The Cal’s six-decade history features defining moments including noted British fashion photographer Terence Donovan photographing only Black models, including then-teen talent Naomi Campbell before she became a modeling superstar, in 1987.
Former Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld – who died in 2019 – helmed the 2011 calendar and legendary portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz was behind the lens of the 2000 and 2016 editions.
Per Pirelli, the calendar aims to “mark the passing of time with images by the most highly acclaimed photographers of the moment – capturing and interpreting contemporary culture and often anticipating new trends.”