Pirelli calendar 2020: Emma Watson, Kristen Stewart and Claire Foy star in Shakespeare-themed shoot

Italian fashion photographer Paolo Roversi invited nine influential women to interpret the tragic heroine of Juliet 
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Claire Foy, Emma Watson and Kristen Stewart star in the 2020 Pirelli Calendar, which re-imagines one of literature’s most famous women - Shakespeare’s Juliet.

The 47th edition of the exclusive fashion calendar was unveiled in full today in Verona, Italy , ahead of a star-studded gala tonight hosted by former calendar star Whoopi Goldberg.

Titled Looking for Juliet, the calendar was shot by contemporary Italian photographer Paolo Roversi.

2020 Pirelli Calendar by Paolo Roversi

For the pictures, Roversi asked nine personalities from the worlds of film, television, art and music to create a new interpretation of the title character from Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

2020 Pirelli Calendar by Paolo Roversi

They then performed this modern interpretation of Juliet in front of his camera for him to shoot.

2020 Pirelli Calendar by Paolo Roversi

British actors Foy, Watson and Mia Goth were picked by the photographer to star.

American stars Indya Moore, Yara Shahidi and Stewart also feature, with the Chinese singer Chris Lee, the Spanish singer Rosalia, and the Franco-Italian artist Stella Roversi completing the line up.

2020 Pirelli Calendar by Paolo Roversi

Speaking in a behind-the-scenes video released this afternoon, Harry Potter actor Watson, 29, said of working on the calendar: “It is lovely to have the narrative behind the still image. It makes it a richer image. For me, it [the role of Juliet] is so much about first love and it is about how close all of your feelings are to your skin. It can be so tender and painful.”

2020 Pirelli Calendar by Paolo Roversi

On appearing in the calendar, The Crown star Foy said: “I think anyone of any age or gender can play either Romeo or Juliet because they have so much femininity and masculinity in them. It is that idea of hopeless, hopeless love, which is what you can have at any age, surely?“

2020 Pirelli Calendar by Paolo Roversi

Meanwhile, on the role of Juliet, Twilight and Charlie’s Angels actor Stewart, 29, said: “I think to give yourself fully to someone is the strongest thing you can possible do. I am a huge Juliet advocate. And she’s a baller.”

The calendar was shot in Paris and Verona in May. The photographer said of the theme: “Juliet has always been a reference in my world, my work is about women and Juliet has always been a big reference, a big dream, a big illusion, and the idea of looking for Juliet is a reason, an excuse to take part and to have an encounter with this person and the reason to take pictures and feel better. I think when you look at an image of a girl it’s possible to see the resemblance of Juliet.

2020 Pirelli Calendar by Paolo Roversi

“I am still searching for my Juliet and I will be searching all my life. Because Juliet is a dream”.

The Pirelli Calendar was first published in 1964 as a gift to give to top clients of the tyre brand. In 1974 it was discontinued but was brought back a decade later.

Models Gigi Hadid, Giselle, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell have previously starred, with a number of non-models, including Goldberg, Amy Schumer and Serena Williams also featuring in recent years.

Behind the scenes of the Pirelli Calendar 2020 - In pictures

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