Forget KIM KARDASHIAN's notorious PAPER MAGAZINE cover: It seems that the newly chaste 2016 PIRELLI CALENDAR nearly broke the Internet, or at least the channels I follow. Instead of the usual nude supermodels, this year's edition — shot by ANNIE LEIBOVITZ — stars such cultural luminaries as PATTI SMITH, YOKO ONO, and SERENA WILLIAMS, most of whom are fully clothed. VANESSA FRIEDMAN at the TIMES wondered if this new direction signaled a broader cultural shift, citing the end of the PLAYBOY centerfold and an empowered female culture. I'm not so sure if it's that so much (I mean, you only need to look at VICTORIA'S SECRET and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED to know that sex sells), as it is a broader definition of what's sexy — whether that's braces on the runway, GUCCI's "geek chic," or ESPN's co-ed, celebratory BODY ISSUE. What's exciting about the new PIRELLI CALENDAR — besides the striking images — is not that the women are clothed, because there's nothing wrong with marveling at the human form. And it's not that they're "real people," because models are "real people," too. It's that each woman is different and that each is celebrated for her unique qualities, whether she's in a suit jacket (à la FRAN LEBOWITZ) or wearing nothing but a pair of skivvies (like AMY SCHUMER). I just hope next year there are some guys, too. ... Speaking of men, I loved this defense of the glitter beard as something that pokes fun at and disrupts our notions of masculinity and virility and even patriotism. We could all use a little more fabulous rebellion in our lives, and style.