First look: The all-black 2018 Pirelli Calendar starring Naomi Campbell, Adwoa Aboah and RuPaul

The calendar was inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and styled by British Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful

The 2018 Pirelli Calendar was revealed in New York today featuring an all-star cast of 18 figures from the worlds of fashion, music, acting and activism - all of whom are black.

Esteemed British fashion photographer Tim Walker revealed his 28-image calendar at the Manhattan Centre this afternoon with British model Adwoa Aboah, actresses Lupita Nyong’o and Whoopi Goldberg, rapper Sean “Brother Love” Combs and Naomi Campbell among the stars.

It was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and the illustrations in the 1885 first edition of the book drawn by John Tenniel.

Edward Enninful, the new editor of British Vogue, styled the shoot - which took place in London in May - with Shona Heath designing the set.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Enninful said the project was about diversity and inclusivity - and hoped it could redefine conceived ideas of beauty.

The editor of British Vogue said: “To see a black Alice today means children of all races can embrace the idea of diversity from a very young age and also acknowledge that beauty comes in all colours. Culturally, we are living in a diverse world. Projects like this remarkable Pirelli Calendar demonstrate that there is still hope in what sometimes feels like an increasingly cynical reality.”

Sean “Brother Love” Combs - perhaps better known as Puff Daddy - said at the launch: “For me the message is a little late, but it’s come right on time. Pirelli was smart enough to see the future. This is the future - black excellence.”

Walker said the idea for a black Alice had been with him “for a long time” adding the story had been a big influence throughout his career.

“I see the fashion world as wonderland,” he said. “Alice in Wonderland is a story that I have drawn upon for a long time. It has always been in my work. Alice for me is always there. I didn’t want to tell Alice as she had been told before. I didn’t want to be influenced by Disney’s interpretation or Tim Burton’s interpretation, I wanted to go back to the core of the imagination.”

The 2018 Pirelli Calendar

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Walker, who has worked for Vogue, Love and W Magazine, said his favourite image was one of the first in the calendar - of Australian model Duckie Thot’s Alice.

Walker said: “Duckie had to carry so much. She hadn’t done a lot of modelling before we cast her as Alice. I think she carried that lead role with so much strength.”

Thot, 22, a runner up on Australia’s Next Top Model who moved to New York earlier in the year - said the role had been her “dream job.”

Wonderland: Pirelli calendar stars including Sean Combs and Naomi Campbell
Pirelli

The model, who is of Sudanese heritage, added: “I thought it would be something I would do in five years, six years. I can’t believe I have done this within a year of living in this city. To have done it with Tim was such an amazing experience. He let me in to his world, which really hit home for me. To be able to be lensed by him and for Pirelli - those two together is my dream job. It happened, and I am still very much like: ‘wow’.”

Walker admitted working with author and comedian Goldberg, 61, had been a highlight for him, adding: “You grow up with someone like Whoopi Goldberg. And then you meet her. She knows why she is there, she is an experienced performer. I think it’s those moments of meeting people you have looked up to that are very special.”

Blood Diamond star Djmon Hounsou, who is King of Hearts, said working with drag artist RuPaul, Queen of Hearts, had been an experience. “She sure owns the stage, loud and clear.”

The last Pirelli Calendar to feature an all-black cast was in 1987, when Naomi Campbell, then 16, was shot by Terence Donovan along with Waris Dirie and Colette Brown.

Last year's calendar featured a number of high profile actresses including Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet and Dame Helen Mirren in un-photoshopped images by Peter Lindberg.

FULL CAST:

Adut Akech: The Queen of Diamonds

Adwoa Aboah: Tweedledee

Alpha Dia: 5 of Hearts playing card and Gardener

Djimon Hounsou: The King of Hearts

Duckie Thot: Alice

King Owusu: Tweedledum, 2 of Hearts playing card and Gardener

Lil Yachty: The Queen’s Guard

Lupita Nyong'o: The dormouse

Naomi Campbell: The Royal Beheader

RuPaul: The Queen of Hearts

Sasha Lane: The Mad March Hare

Sean “Diddy” Combs: The Royal Beheader

Slick Woods: The Mad Hatter

Thank Hopa: The Princess of Hearts

Whoopi Goldberg: The Royal Duchess

Wilson Oryema: 7 of Hearts Playing Card and gardener

Zoe Bedeaux: The Caterpillar

Jaha Dukureh: Wonderland Princess

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