| The Pirelli calendar is one that's eagerly awaited | | | | by all and sundry involved with automotive |
| by all and sundry involved with automotive | | | | matters and excellent photography, but 'sundry' |
| matters and excellent photography, but 'sundry' | | | | rarely ever gets to own a copy. Even so, there is |
| rarely ever gets to own a copy. Even so, there is | | | | always keen interest in both the models, the |
| always keen interest in both the models, the | | | | photographer/s shooting this exclusive calendar, |
| photographer/s shooting this exclusive calendar, | | | | and how the models are depicted in the calendar. |
| and how the models are depicted in the calendar. | | | | One of the most striking, and yet subtle, |
| One of the most striking, and yet subtle, | | | | calendars from this tyre company came several |
| calendars from this tyre company came several | | | | years ago when the tyre tread pattern was |
| years ago when the tyre tread pattern was | | | | tastefully depicted as an element of the whole |
| tastefully depicted as an element of the whole | | | | image. This time around, the thirty-fifth, Pirelli has |
| image. This time around, the thirty-fifth, Pirelli has | | | | a more commercial motive behind the choice of |
| a more commercial motive behind the choice of | | | | models - Pirelli's increased presence in China with |
| models - Pirelli's increased presence in China with | | | | the opening of a new tyre plant. So, along with |
| the opening of a new tyre plant. So, along with | | | | the inclusion of Chinese models in the calendar, |
| the inclusion of Chinese models in the calendar, | | | | the theme of the calendar focuses on Shanghai, |
| the theme of the calendar focuses on Shanghai, | | | | along with its teahouses and former colonial areas. |
| along with its teahouses and former colonial areas. | | | | The photographer is Patrick Demarchelier, originally |
| The photographer is Patrick Demarchelier, originally | | | | from the small French sea town of Le Havre. He |
| from the small French sea town of Le Havre. | | | | is possibly most well known as being Princess |
| He is possibly most well known as being Princess | | | | Diana's official photographer - historic because he |
| Diana's official photographer - historic because he | | | | was the first non-Brit to photograph the royal |
| was the first non-Brit to photograph the royal | | | | family. |
| family. This is Demarchelier second time as the | | | | This is Demarchelier second time as the Pirelli |
| Pirelli calendar photographer - the first was in 2005 | | | | calendar photographer - the first was in 2005 in |
| in Rio de Janeiro in exotic, sultry Brazil. The 2008 | | | | Rio de Janeiro in exotic, sultry Brazil. The 2008 |
| edition has (disappointingly for those expecting a | | | | edition has (disappointingly for those expecting a |
| skin show) 23 portraits, the odd number due to | | | | skin show) 23 portraits, the odd number due to |
| August having just one. The selected models | | | | August having just one. The selected models |
| include Agyness Deane and Lily Donaldson (UK), | | | | include Agyness Deane and Lily Donaldson (UK), |
| Doutzen Kroes (the Netherlands), Catherine Mc | | | | Doutzen Kroes (the Netherlands), Catherine Mc |
| Neil and Gemma Ward (Australia), Sasha | | | | Neil and Gemma Ward (Australia), Sasha |
| Pivovarova (Russia), Coco Rocha (Ireland) and | | | | Pivovarova (Russia), Coco Rocha (Ireland) and |
| Caroline Trentini (Brazil). The Chinese beauties are | | | | Caroline Trentini (Brazil). The Chinese beauties are |
| Mo Wan Dan, Du Juan and Maggie Cheung, the | | | | Mo Wan Dan, Du Juan and Maggie Cheung, the |
| latter is an actress known for her roles in Chinese | | | | latter is an actress known for her roles in Chinese |
| and English films like Police Story, Super Cop, | | | | and English films like Police Story, Super Cop, |
| Actress, Chinese Box and others. Du Juan, whose | | | | Actress, Chinese Box and others. Du Juan, whose |
| name means both the Azalea flower and the | | | | name means both the Azalea flower and the |
| Cuckoo bird, was the first Asian model to grace | | | | Cuckoo bird, was the first Asian model to grace |
| the cover of French Vogue. | | | | the cover of French Vogue. Mo Wandan was born |
| Mo Wandan was born in Guangdong Province, | | | | in Guangdong Province, China. |
| China. She trained in track and field, but quit after | | | | She trained in track and field, but quit after injury. |
| injury. After she participated in, and won, the | | | | After she participated in, and won, the China |
| China Model Star Contest in 2004, she was signed | | | | Model Star Contest in 2004, she was signed on |
| on by a modeling agency. Narain's flawless | | | | by a modeling agency. Narain's flawless |
| performance should remind those who've have | | | | performance should remind those who've have |
| cast him aside that he's still very much a force to | | | | cast him aside that he's still very much a force to |
| be reckoned with on the world motorsport stage. | | | | be reckoned with on the world motorsport stage. |
| In all fairness though, he was a little lucky to | | | | In all fairness though, he was a little lucky to |
| inherit first position when Neel Jani of Switzerland, | | | | inherit first position when Neel Jani of Switzerland, |
| who was leading comfortably, had trouble in the | | | | who was leading comfortably, had trouble in the |
| pits. But, more often than not, you need lady luck | | | | pits. But, more often than not, you need lady luck |
| in your corner in order to win a race. Narain, on | | | | in your corner in order to win a race. Narain, on |
| his part, put in quick laps when it counted, and set | | | | his part, put in quick laps when it counted, and set |
| one fastest lap after another to secure his | | | | one fastest lap after another to secure his |
| position. | | | | position. |
| The Pirelli calendar is one that's eagerly awaited | | | | |