A Look at the 2026 Pirelli Calendar

This year’s version features 11 women embodying the elements.

Written by The Editors of NUVO

It was in 1964 that the British subsidiary of the Italian automotive firm turned to art director Derek Forsyth and famed photographer Robert Freeman (known for his Beatles portraits) to produce what would be a high-end promotional gift for Pirelli clients. Since then, “The Cal” has expanded from a clever marketing move to a highly anticipated yearly project featuring eminent photographers and artistic narratives.

For perhaps the most artistic approach thus far, Norwegian fashion photographer and filmmaker Sølve Sundsbø was asked to frame the 2026 Pirelli Calendar.

Sundsbø, who has garnered praise in the fashion industry for his otherworldly concepts, wanted to explore humans’ desire to connect with nature and make the project into something abstract, less expected. Sand, wind, water, and more were brought into studios in London and New York, and through his lens, 11 women—Adria Arjona, Du Juan, Eva Herzigová, FKA twigs, Gwendoline Christie, Irina Shayk, Isabella Rossellini, Luisa Ranieri, Susie Cave, Tilda Swinton, and Venus Williams—realize his vision to embody the elements along with energy, ether, and light.

“For some of them, it was very literal. With Eva and Susie, we put them in water. With Tilda, we made a little mini world for her. With FKA twigs, I had a long conversation as she wanted to be covered in sand and be part of the earth. So it’s all about conversations. You want the person to look beautiful. You want the protagonist to feel at one with the element,” Sundsbø says.

As the annual calendar continues to be released in the coming years, Sundsbø’s unique 52nd edition is sure to be recognized as a collectible.