Meet the African Cast of Pirelli’s 2018 “Alice in Wonderland” Themed Calendar

The 2018 edition of the Pirelli calendar marks its 45th year in existence with an all Black cast for the Alice in Wonderland themed issue.

Shot in London last May by British photographer, Tim Walker, his unmistakable style of extravagant sets and romantic motifs, to revisit a classic story in British literature is outstanding.

Styled by editor-in-chief of British Vogue magazine, Edward Enninful, the star-studded calendar features African celebrities like Beninese-American actor and activist Djimon Hounsou, Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o, and models like South Sudanese-Australian model Duckie Thot, South African model and lawyer Thando Hopa, Australian model Adut Akech, Senegalese-German model Alpha Dia, Gambian women’s rights activist Jaha Dukureh, British model King Owusu, British model Wilson Oryema, American model Slick Woods and Ghanaian-British fashion model and feminist activist Adwoa Aboah – who is on the cover of the recent British Vogue, Edward Enninful’s first issue as editor in chief.

Duckie Thot

Born and raised in Austrailia Nyadak Thot, known as Duckie, is a South Sudanese-Australian Supermodel who was one of the youngest contestants to appear on the 8th cycle of Australia’s Next Top Model finishing in 3rd place. She also loves basketball and started playing the sport seriously in 2010 and has played for the New Stars team. Duckie is the junior sister of popular YouTuber, Nikki Perkins of Jamie & Nikki.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Amondi Nyong’o is a Mexican-Kenyan actress and filmmaker born in Mexico to Kenyan parents and raised in Kenya. She started her career in Hollywood as a production assistant and made her acting debut in 2008 with the short film East River (watch it here) and returned to Kenya to star in the television series Shuga (2009). Lupita became the first Kenyan actress and the first Mexican actress to win an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress) for her role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave (2013).

Djimon Hounsou

Born in Cotonou, Bénin, to a cook Pierre Hounsou, he then migrated to Lyon in France at the age of thirteen with his brother, Edmond. After dropping out of school, he became homeless for a time and a chance meeting with a photographer led to him to his modelling career in 1987. He moved to the United States in 1990. As the fourth African male to be nominated for an Oscar, in 2006 he won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Blood Diamond, amongst others for his powerful performance.

Thando Hopa

One of the few albino models in the world, Thando Hopa is a South African lawyer and part-time fashion model who shot to fame in 2012 after being scouted by designer Gert-Johan Coetzee. Over the years she has become an activist for albinism.

Watch the behind the scenes video below.