Pirelli’s Oz talent, Catherine McNeil to star in calendar

THE fickle fashion world hasn’t tired of Catherine McNeil’s beautiful face … and neither have we. The Aussie model has modelled for the latest Pirelli calendar to be launched this week.

The Daily Telegraph
November 26, 2007 12:00am

THE fickle fashion world hasn’t tired of Catherine McNeil’s beautiful face and neither have we, with the Aussie model at her smokin’ hot best in the latest Pirelli calendar to be launched this week.

Joining fellow green-and-golden girl Gemma Ward in this year’s pin-ups, the model who wanted to be a mechanic has never made grease monkeys look so good.

The collectors’ item will be a Shanghai surprise for the 20,000 who get their hands on the calendar, shot on location in China by style snapper Patrick Demarchelier.

Naomi Watts became the first Australian to pose for the famed Italian tyre-makers’ calendar in 2006. Burn, babes, burn.

Aussie beauties in starring role for Pirelli
By Jonathon Moran

AUSTRALIAN beauties Gemma Ward and Catherine McNeil are playing a starring role in one of the world’s most sought-after calendars.

Last year, actress Naomi Watts became the first Australian to appear in a Pirelli calendar, paving the way for Ward and McNeil to be photographed for the iconic publication’s 35th edition.

“Since I lived in Sydney, my flatmate had the calendar on the wall, and that’s been my most favourite of all time,” McNeil, 18, said.

“I think it’s fabulous and glamorous, and so well done.

“They pick great girls, and I was absolutely honoured to be given the opportunity.”

The Italian tyre maker uses the calendar as an exclusive gift for peoplewhose names figure on a closely guarded mailing list.

Those known to be on the VIP list include Prince Charles and U2’s Bono.

Given that just 20,000 copies are printed, the calendars are collectors’ items and highly sought after.

McNeil and Ward join a long list of high-profile names to have appeared in the calendar, including models Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen, actresses Sophia Loren and Hillary Swank, and singer Jennifer Lopez.

The 2008 calendar was shot in Shanghai by renowned French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier.

Pirelli, which has kept details of the calendar a closely guarded secret, will unveil it on November 29.

Ward and McNeil are two of Australia’s highest-profile models on the international circuit. Being chosen for the Pirelli calendar is a major coup for their careers.

“I don’t think I will ever be a princess, for the simple reason that I think it’s just a job, so why should it change you?” McNeil, who wanted to be a motor mechanic before taking up modelling, said.

Model Catherine McNeil Finds Comfort in Chicken Burgers

“I had salad niçoise. That’s my favorite.”
Melissa Hom

Earlier this year Times fashion writer Guy Trebay declared 17-year-old Catherine McNeil to be “fashion’s latest crush,” citing her photo shoots for Mario Testino, her campaigns for Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabbana, and her sudden status as the sought-after runway model. McNeil has lived on the Lower East Side since moving from Australia in February and can often be found at expat hangout Ruby’s wolfing chicken burgers like her mom used to make. “It’s chicken breast, and you can put lettuce and sweet chili sauce and stuff on it,” she explains. Not that she did much eating out this week between shoots for Another magazine and Versace. We caught her on the way to the airport (she was flying to Paris for a Gaultier shoot) and asked her what she noshed on.
Monday, November 5
We were doing Versace. I had some banana bread for breakfast. I went out to lunch at Barolo with my booker because I was working in the morning. I had sea bass with Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. I had cheesecake for dessert.

Tuesday, November 6
I had Raisin Bran for breakfast. I usually don’t like eating first thing in the morning. For lunch I had a huge plate of green salad and vegetables. For dinner I had chicken noodle soup and a honey-and-oat bar from room service. I don’t like cooking because you cook too much and the food gets wasted.

Wednesday, November 7
I worked from 11 am to 7 p.m., shooting for Another magazine. I had a handful of nuts and some fruit for breakfast on the job. For lunch I had some vegetables and salad. When I got home, I was so tired that I passed out, so I didn’t eat dinner.

Thursday, November 8
I had some scrambled eggs and fruit on the shoot. For lunch I had salad. I worked late and then went home and fell asleep, so I missed dinner again.

Friday, November 9
I woke up starving. I had a toasted egg, ham, and cheese sandwich. For lunch I had salad niçoise — with tuna and carrots and stuff like that. That’s my favorite salad. And I had a chocolate-chip cookie. I try to eat healthy and clean food — not eat bad stuff. You can’t go and eat five chocolate bars every day.

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2007/11/fashions_latest_it_girl_cather_1.html