To be honest it's hard to top year after year, they've run out of ideas and thought they could make a splash. They focused too much on the clothes, makeup, and harsh lighting, rather than the ambiance of China, Asian culture, or beauty of the models. The calendar was to coincide with a new Pirelli manufacturing facility in opening China, but they misfired with Japanese clothing and Kabuki type makeup. I also believe they shied away from implied or real nudity because this was a business venture with the Chinese government, and didn't want to offend them. Although Mo Wandan had catwalked down runways in China topless (hands covering breasts), and fashion magazines in China show models topless with small tapes just covering their nipples.