Pirelli's 2017 calendar shuns retouching in favour of Hollywood's natural beauty

Once famed for provocative poses and little clothing, the Pirelli calendar has now become known for its celebration of women’s achievements and natural beauty.

Continuing with last year’s stripped back theme, the 2017 edition features Hollywood actresses in all their natural glory.

Shot by Peter Lindbergh, each intimate image has been printed in black-and-white with no airbrushing. A range of ages were chosen by Lindbergh including Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Helen Mirren, Lupita Nyong’o and Jessica Chastain.

At the Paris launch earlier today, Lindbergh told The Huffington Post that he deliberately chose actresses who had starred in fashion and beauty ads because “you know these women retouched.” He named his version of the calendar ‘Emotional’ to further emphasise the idea of a calendar not focused “around perfect bodies, but on sensitivity and emotion, stripping down to the very soul of the sitters.”

“In a time when women are represented in the media and everywhere else as ambassadors of perfection and youth, I thought it was important to remind everyone that there is a different beauty,” he continued.

Several of the featured actresses also attended the press conference with Uma Thurman commenting: “Peter wanted to free women from oppressive and false standards. Pirelli is making the move to natural, empowered and free women which is wonderful.”

Julianne Moore, who can be seen sitting in a black bodysuit barefoot, said Peter thought her “no make-up, messy hair and puffy eyes” look was “perfect”.

Nicole Kidman also had an important message to relay: “We’re so used to airbrushing these days so you’re not using to seeing people not have a perfect image. There’s an enormous amount of judgement and the more we can strip that away, the better.”

It seems like Pirelli isn’t giving up their natural stance. This is one trend we can definitely get behind.

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