Pirelli Calendar Backstage Book

An event featuring the world’s most famous calendar will be held at the Guggenheim Museum tonight in the presence of major international political and diplomatic figures and illustrious representatives of the worlds of culture and show business. Following the success of similar events in Berlin and Moscow, the style and appeal of “The Cal” is set to conquer the “Big Apple” with Pirelli presenting the most intimate side of its prestigious calendar for the first time in its 40-year history. Secrets and backstage details, curiosities and anecdotes, all that which admirers of The Cal throughout the world have always longed to know but which has never before been revealed or described has now been collected in an exclusive, prestigious volume, the Pirelli Calendar Backstage Book, to be presented in New York.

The story began in 1964 with the edition created by the Beatles photographer Robert Freeman and has developed for over 40 years through to the present day and the magnificent shots by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for the 2006 edition. The collection of images that fuelled the Pirelli Calendar legend has made it a cultural phenomenon and historical testimony to the evolution of taste, fashion and contemporary society. The Cal 2006 is the 33rd edition of the calendars which were created by a total of 27 photographers, including three women (France’s Sarah Moon in 1972 and Americans Joyce
Tennyson and Annie Leibovitz in 1989 and 2000 respectively).

However, the dominant aspect of The Cal’s New York show is the presentation of the previously unpublished photos from the Pirelli Calendar Backstage Book. The book is not on sale and will have a limited distribution.