The wait is finally over – and what a game-changer it promises to be! The 2027 Pirelli calendar is set to rewrite the rulebook, ditching its traditional Eurocentric approach for an all-Indian cast and a sizzling Indian setting. We're talking about Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, among other breathtaking locations, as the backdrop for this stunning celebration of India's vibrant culture and jaw-dropping diversity.
Bhavitha Mandava, the 26-year-old Hyderabad model who's been lighting up runways worldwide with her meteoric rise, is one of the women taking centre stage. With a CV that reads like a Who's Who of high fashion – including being the first Indian woman to open Chanel's Métiers d'Art show and turning heads at the Met Gala – Mandava's inclusion in this calendar is the perfect storm of talent and timing.
The Pirelli calendar has always been a double-edged sword, praised for its glamour but also lambasted for its lack of diversity and perceived objectification of women. But it's been a work in progress, with notable shifts happening in 2016 (Annie Leibovitz's all-influential-women edition) and 2018 (Tim Walker's all-black cast). The recent return to more sensual imagery sparked controversy in the #MeToo era – will this new direction be a home run or a strikeout?
The decision to go all-in on India for the 2027 calendar comes at a time when the fashion industry is finally acknowledging its South Asian blind spot. Indian fabrics, embroidery, and craft have long been influencing luxury brands, but their origins have often been swept under the carpet. Dior's runway show in Mumbai's Gateway of India last March was a game-changer, highlighting Indian artisans, while Prada faced heat earlier this year over sandals that bore an uncanny resemblance to traditional Kolhapuri chappals – eventually owning up to their Indian roots.
Mandava admitted she had initial reservations about the calendar's sexy vibe and its compatibility with India's more modest culture. But she was won over by Pirelli's efforts to create a safe, inclusive space for her – "I'm so glad they made me feel like I belong." She praised the calendar's commitment to showcasing India's "beauty and diversity" but also warned against reducing entire nations or races to individual women.
The original vision was a collaboration between Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai and Norwegian photographer Sølve Sundsbø. But after Rai's passing in April, his daughter Avani stepped up to complete her father's part of the project – an incredible challenge that's seen her take on the mantle of continuing his legacy.