The gala launch, which included an event for some 600 invited guests, was timed to coincide with the Italian tiremaker’s grand opening of its new passenger tire plant in Shandong, China.
Directed and photographed by French photographer Patrick Demarchelier, the calendar was dedicated to China and themed "Pearls of the Orient."
Shot entirely in Shanghai, the calendar involved 11 models and 23 finished photos. Featured models included Chinese actress Maggie Cheung, Mo Wan Dan and Du Juan, as well as English models Agyness Deane and Lily Donaldson, Dutch model Doutzen Kroes, Australian models Catherine McNeil and Gemma Ward, Russian model Sasha Pivovarova, Irish model Coco Rocha, and Brazilian model Caroline Trentini. (Tire Review)