Ethan James Green and Tonne Goodman worked on the latest edition.
A new year calls for fresh beginnings and that can be said for the Pirelli 2025 Calendar. Aptly titled Refresh and Reveal, the latest edition features photographer Ethan James Green as directed by former Vogue editor Tonne Goodman. “We’re returning to its origins and celebrating the body in new ways that reflect the current moment”, said Green. The 34-year-old artist, best known for intimate portraits that reflect his community in New York, is one of the most sought-after creatives of his generation, making him a natural fit to bring the annual publication into a new era.
Green learned he was chosen to shoot the calendar on his birthday. The next step? Tapping Goodman to join the project. The two first met at Rihanna’s November 2019 Vogue cover shoot and shared a vision since. For this project, Goodman had no intention to make yet another fashion shoot. “You had to conceal to be able to reveal”, she explained. Take for example Vincent Cassel’s image, in which Goodman opted for a pair of wide-leg trousers and nothing else. The freedom encouraged Cassel to kick in the air spontaneously. “We had no idea he’s capable of doing this”, she said. Fashion became a device to express a personal attitude in Goodman’s hands, and through Green’s lens the narrative comes to life.
The creative process took the team to historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami for the shoot, with both outdoor and studio setups. Being a model himself since 14, Green was quick to put the cast at ease. “You get the best shot when the subject is comfortable”, he says. The photographer turned movement director on set, taking a hands-on approach by not just directing the poses but demonstrating them himself. “It was a challenging project but also fun, with ‘fun’ being one of those words that we sadly lack in our vocabulary these days,” reflects Goodman.
Goodman and Green’s rapport is evident when you see the images. Clean, yet filled with movement and emotion, the photos reflect the diverse cast that was assembled for the project. Longtime favorite and frequent Green collaborator, Hunter Schafer takes the lead as the face of January. February features Jenny Shimizu, who had previously been shot in 1987 by Richard Avedon. Simone Ashley is March, followed by John Boyega for April while May sees Martine Gutierrez and Jodie Turner-Smith stars in June. To finish out the summer, Padma Lakshmi is July’s image and Cassel takes on August. Come fall, Connie Fleming fronts September while October is Elodie Di Patrizi. As for November, a surprise —. the photographer becomes the subject, with James posing nude for the camera. “To be naked in front of that many people was quite freeing”, Green asserted. Finally, to end the year, Hoyeon Jung is December.
See a selection of the images below.
