Pirelli Unveils 2027 Calendar With All-Indian Cast as First Edition Shot Entirely in India
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 26
Pirelli Unveils 2027 Calendar With All-Indian Cast as First Edition Shot Entirely in India
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 26
Summary
Pirelli’s 2027 calendar will feature an all-Indian cast and marks the first time the influential fashion annual has been photographed entirely in India.
Jaipur, Delhi and other Indian settings anchor the project, which Pirelli framed as part of a broader shift toward stronger South Asian representation and overdue recognition of Indian craft in global fashion.
Bhavitha Mandava, 26, said she had hesitated because of the calendar’s erotic past, but joined after Pirelli made efforts to make her feel included in a more culturally grounded portrayal.
Raghu Rai had been set to co-shoot the calendar before his death in April; his daughter Avani Rai took over his part, bringing the project onto Delhi’s streets as a tribute.
Anoushka Shankar and Padma Lakshmi said the edition reflects how global views of Indian beauty have widened beyond narrow stereotypes, even as fashion still wrestles with diversity and appropriation debates.