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Twelve Shots for the limited edition Pirelli Cal shot by Mario Sorrenti.

The curtains are drawn open and the lights are on. The shroud of secrecy that usually surrounds one of the most highly anticipated rendezvous on the calendar of the international jet set, the presentation of the first eagerly awaited images of the 2012 edition of the limited edition Pirelli Calendar by the eponymous tire company, was unveiled last night in New York. About 700 guests in black-tie attire gathered at Park Avenue Armory, a 19th century monumental military landmark that, for the occasion, was given a glamorous makeover. 


The evening proceeded with a candle-lit seated dinner accompanied by the wines produced on Marquis Guerrieri Gonzaga’s estate San Leonardo and dedicated specifically to Pirelli Pzero tire, giving Italy double reasons to celebrate. Indeed, after Norman Parkinson, Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Peter Lindberg and Patrick Demarchelier, to name a few; for the first time, 39 years after its launch, the men’s most coveted calendar, an Italian venture in itself, synonymous with beautiful women in the buff was shot by the reserved and over-talented photographer and former model, Italian by origin and New Yorker by adoption, Mario Sorrenti. 


Throughout the dinner, the guests were delighted by the full-screen photos of stunning beauties projected on the walls of the dinner hall showing the backstage video of the calendar shooting.  They are the protagonists of the 2012 edition, free from the restriction of clothes and from the protection of the catwalk, captured sensually natural and naked while engaging in an intimate dialogue with the photographer. The results are 25 lyrical nude shots, including 18 in black and white. Set in the unspoilt surroundings of the island of Corsica, with its white sandy beaches and the crystal clear water as a backdrop, it debuts with Kate Moss, a close friend as well as former girlfriend of Sorrenti who also photographed her naked for the iconic Calvin Klein campaign. 


Alongside Kate Moss are also one of Russia’s most acclaimed top-model, Natasha Poly and the sensual Dutch model Lara Stone, who also graced last year’s edition of the Pirelli Cal shot by Karl Lagerfeld. But also the American Joan Smalls and Guinevere Van Seenus, Polish Malgosia, Edita Vilkeviciute from Lithuania, Moscow-born Anna Selezneva as well as the Brazilian Isabeli Fontana, featuring of the coveted calendar for the fourth time.


Not only models in the cast, tough. Unveiling their natural sensuality on the calendar pages are also actresses, such as Margareth Madè, highly praised for her role in Baarìa, the exotic beauty of the Japanese actress from Kanagawa, Rinko Kikuchi, the Dutch androgynous beauty often appeared on the cover of Vogue, Saskia de Brauw and Milla Jovovich, the Ukrainian model and actress who rose to fame thanks to her warrior-character in Luc Besson’s movie.


Look away from the images projected on the walls and here they are once again – this time in the flesh – seated nonchalantly at the table, clad in gorgeous haute couture clothes. With them were also Adrien Brody and the delightful Julianne Moore, the elegant chairman of Pirelli, Marco Tronchetti Provera, with the charming daughters Ilaria and Giada and the beautiful wife, Afef Jnifen, Valentino, Franca Sozzani, Vera Wang, Daphne Guinness, Jil Stuart, Peter Beard, Sean Avery and Madalina Ghenea.


Given that the whole event was a hymn to sublime beauty, another surprise was introduced to the joy of the guests. It’s Andrea Bocelli who enraptured the audience with his rendition of "New York, New York" and the Italian "Con te partirò…” to then leave the podium to DJ Samantha Ronson who brought the guests to the dance floor with her techno sound. Until, well into the night, the curtains were drawn back: goodnight New York.

p.s. Mario seems to be the name of the year for the italians, after ECB president Mario Draghi and italian prime minister Mario Monti yet another Mario..


image credit: Pirelli