1 DEC: American 21-time Grand Slam tennis champion, Serena Williams, poses for the 2016 edition of the Pirelli calendar. In the past it has been a prime outlet for the world's supermodels, but for 2016, the company has unveiled a calendar of "inspirational" women such as Serena Williams and Amy Schumer. American photographer Annie Leibovitz, who's behind the shoot, described it as a "departure" from recent years. The Pirelli calendar started in 1964 and is published yearly. It is famous for being exclusive, as it is only given as a gift to important Pirelli customers and celebrity VIPs. Leibovitz said that the tyre company suggested the idea of photographing distinguished women. "I wanted the pictures to show the women exactly as they are, with no pretence," she said. Other women to feature in 2016 include Yoko Ono, singer Patti Smith, American author Fran Lebowitz, Selma director Ava DuVernay, American philanthropist Agnes Gund, blockbuster producer Kathleen Kennedy, Natalia Vodianova, American businesswoman Mellody Hobson and Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat. PHOTO: ANNIE LEIBOVITZ/PIRELLI #BBCSnapshot #Photography #AnnieLeibovitz #Leibovitz #SerenaWilliams #PirelliCalendar #Pirelli #StrongWomen #InspirationalWomen by bbcnews

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