The exhibition travels to 10 cities over the next 12 months after its East End debut, heading to Tokyo, San Francisco, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Istanbul, Frankfurt, New York and Zurich.
The new collection continues a project Leibovitz began 17 years ago in Washington DC, reflecting the changes in the roles of women today.
Annie Leibovitz with her photo-portrait of the Queen at unveiling of new exhibition at Wapping
It is being commissioned by UBS financial services whose international HQ near Liverpool Street is little more than a mile from the venue chosen for the launch.
“It is extraordinary to do this work for UBS on a subject that I really care about,” Annie Leibovitz said.
"This is such a big undertaking and a broad subject, like going out and photographing the ocean.”
The one person whose picture she would most like to take is German chancellor Angela Merkel, she revealed before the launch
Without that, her updated collection of influential females was missing “probably the most important woman in the world today”.
Her exhibition began in 1999 with women she most admired.
Adele by Annie Leibovitz
‘Women: New Portraits’ features unseen images of strong women from Adele to Amy Schumer, Caitlyn Jenner to the Queen and will show in ten cities over the next year. New artworks will be added regularly to the rolling collection, including Malala Yousafzai and artist Marina Abramovic who are booked in to shoot in the coming weeks.
Actress/Comedienne Amy Schumer
Included in the exhibition are the images Leibovitz shot for the 2015 Pirelli calendar, a project that was shared millions of times on social media last year as it completely went against the grain of everything the brand had previously stood for. Gone were the cheesy, 'sexy' snaps of typical model body types and in its place were the physiques of athlete Serena Williams, actress Amy Schumer and their friends, showing what real women look like in 2016.
Wimbledon Champion Serena Williams
January 16 – February 7. Address: Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SL. Exhibition opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 10am – 6pm Saturday – Sunday
