According to a Pirelli spokesperson, "she was selected as a tribute to America after the September 11 attacks. We decided that Lauren epitomizes America and all it stands for."

Don't think you'll be catching a glimpse of the 17-year-old in the buff though. This is the Italian tire company's first-ever fully-clothed calendar since its launch in the early '60s.

And the conservative Texas Bush clan sure was happy to hear of the new look. "I spoke to my grandparents and they were very pleased. They were even more pleased when I told them I was fully clothed," Lauren told a news conference in London last night.

Another big change for the calendar this year is the choice of subjects. Young actresses, rather than models, will grace its twelve pages.

Peter Lindbergh, the preferred photographer for Giorgio Armani's ad campaigns, shot the likes of Mena Suvari, Julia Stiles, Selma Blair, Rachel Leigh Cook and James King for this year's calendar. They are all clad in Armani.

Photos of the making of the calendar were on exhibition in Armani's massive new south Milan "theater" last month.

Adding to the allure of the Pirelli calendar, it is not for sale, but mailed out to a select list of loyal Pirelli customers and VIPs like Elton John, Jay Leno and Paul Newman.