The Pirelli Calendar, known for its racy shots of top models captured by some of the world's best photographers, is turning 50 and it's celebrating with a new retrospective book showcasing the images that made it famous. <br /><br />British Photographer, Harry Peccinotti, shot the erotic 1969 issue (pictured) in Big Sur, California.
The Pirelli Calendar, known for its racy shots of top models captured by some of the world's best photographers, is turning 50 and it's celebrating with a new retrospective book showcasing the images that made it famous.

British Photographer, Harry Peccinotti, shot the erotic 1969 issue (pictured) in Big Sur, California.
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Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss are just some of the famous models to grace the Pirelli pages along with Hollywood actresses such as Sophia Loren (pictured), who appeared in the 2007 calendar. <br /><br />"The idea is to have people that have a very high profile and are known for either paparazzi pictures or on a red carpet," said photographer Inez Van Lamsweerde, who shot the calendar with Vinoodh Matadin in Pasadena, California that year. <br /><br /> "Just take them away from all that stuff that surrounds them the whole time."
Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss are just some of the famous models to grace the Pirelli pages along with Hollywood actresses such as Sophia Loren (pictured), who appeared in the 2007 calendar.

"The idea is to have people that have a very high profile and are known for either paparazzi pictures or on a red carpet," said photographer Inez Van Lamsweerde, who shot the calendar with Vinoodh Matadin in Pasadena, California that year.

"Just take them away from all that stuff that surrounds them the whole time."
Courtesy of Dal Calendario PIRELLI
The calendar has also attracted an international selection of A-list photographers over the years including the late <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2F%3Ftitle%3DRichard_Avedon" target="_blank" target="_blank">Richard Avedon</a>, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannieleibovitz.tumblr.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Annie Leibovitz</a>, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mariotestino.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mario Testino</a> and photojournalist <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstevemccurry.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Steve McCurry</a>, best known for his famous photograph Afghan Girl. <br />In 2013, he was selected to shoot the calendar and used Rio as the sultry backdrop.
The calendar has also attracted an international selection of A-list photographers over the years including the late Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino and photojournalist Steve McCurry, best known for his famous photograph Afghan Girl.
In 2013, he was selected to shoot the calendar and used Rio as the sultry backdrop.
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Legendary English fashion photographer, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.duffyphotographer.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Brian Duffy</a>, took this unusual image in London, 1973.
Legendary English fashion photographer, Brian Duffy, took this unusual image in London, 1973.
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Also known as "The Cal", The Pirelli Calendar "first came into being on the Thames during the magical years of Swinging London, when boys' hair was long and girls' skirts were short,'" writes art dealer and art historian Philippe Daverio in the book's introduction. <br />"British society was shaking off the rigorous regimentation of the upper classes, and becoming youthful and liberated," he said.
Also known as "The Cal", The Pirelli Calendar "first came into being on the Thames during the magical years of Swinging London, when boys' hair was long and girls' skirts were short,'" writes art dealer and art historian Philippe Daverio in the book's introduction.
"British society was shaking off the rigorous regimentation of the upper classes, and becoming youthful and liberated," he said.
Courtesy of Dan Calendario PIRELLI
Photographers were given the creative license to capture the women in styles that range from classic to the avant-garde.<br /><br />Model Laetitia Casta represented the 1950s in <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.herbritts.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Herb Ritts</a>'s 1999 calendar, which was shot completely in black and white in L.A.
Photographers were given the creative license to capture the women in styles that range from classic to the avant-garde.

Model Laetitia Casta represented the 1950s in Herb Ritts's 1999 calendar, which was shot completely in black and white in L.A.
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In this image for the 2006 issue, photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott set their sights on pop star Jennifer Lopez for their shoot in Cap d'Antibes, France. <br /><br />Lopez says in the book: "I've heard about the Pirelli Calendar for years. It's been something that has become an artistic expression of many, many great photographers, and when I heard that Mert and Marcus were doing it, I just couldn't say no.<br /><br />"You know no matter what happens you're going to look great, you're going to look sexy, you're going to look different than you've ever looked."
In this image for the 2006 issue, photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott set their sights on pop star Jennifer Lopez for their shoot in Cap d'Antibes, France.

Lopez says in the book: "I've heard about the Pirelli Calendar for years. It's been something that has become an artistic expression of many, many great photographers, and when I heard that Mert and Marcus were doing it, I just couldn't say no.

"You know no matter what happens you're going to look great, you're going to look sexy, you're going to look different than you've ever looked."
Courtesy of Dal Calendario PIRELLI
American photographer, Richard Avedon, shot top models Christy Turlington (pictured) and Naomi Campbell in New York for the 1996 edition.
American photographer, Richard Avedon, shot top models Christy Turlington (pictured) and Naomi Campbell in New York for the 1996 edition.
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This year 1,000 copies of "Pirelli - The Calendar. 50 Years And More" will be published as a $2,000 collector's edition which includes artists' proofs.
This year 1,000 copies of "Pirelli - The Calendar. 50 Years And More" will be published as a $2,000 collector's edition which includes artists' proofs.
Courtesy of Dal Calendario PIRELLI