The 34-year-old tennis star shows off her incredible assets in the 2016 Pirelli Calendar. The powerful shot of the nearly nude Williams symbolises just how inspiring she is, as she models in a super-woman pose with her hair blowing whilst standing firm and strong. This is one of the many fantastic shots from the Calendar that portray women in an honourable light, featuring portraits of women of ‘outstanding professional, social, cultural, sporting and artistic accomplishment.’
Starring in the Calendar along with Serena Williams is director Ava DuVernay, ‘Trainwreck‘ comedian Amy Schumer, artsit-activist Yoko Ono, and many others, all photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Leibovitz said: “the goal was to be very straightforward. I wanted the pictures to show the women exactly as they are, with no pretense.”
All pictures were taken in black and white which gives a deep and raw effect. It is brilliant to see a meaningful calendar which shows women in a positive and bold light, rather than pretty photographs that terribly degrade women.
Jennifer Zimmerman, global chief strategy officer for the McGarryBowen advertising agency said: “All the powerful female characters on television from ‘Supergirl’ to ‘Madam Secretary’ to ‘Scandal,’ the pressure for parity in pay, it is impossible to ignore the empowerment of women. Besides, who uses a calendar anymore? It has to stand for something else.”
