Pirelli’s 2027 Calendar, known as ‘The Cal’, was photographed largely in India and centres Indian women from music, fashion and culture. The project matters because it marks a significant expansion of the calendar’s cultural focus, pairing its established high-fashion status with Indian locations and a prominently Indian cast.

The edition features two photographers for the first time, Sølve Sundsbø and Avani Rai, following the death of Rai’s father, renowned photographer Raghu Rai. Participants include sitar player Anoushka Shankar, Bhavita Mandava and poet Rupi Kaur; Shankar described the selection as thoughtful and nuanced, and said the shoot felt unexpectedly relaxed despite its scale. The calendar is due for formal release in October.