Luminosity calibrations with hipparcos: Theoretical point of view

Hipparcos provided us with valuable observational material that can be used to anchor more firmly the Galactic and extragalactic distance scales. A calibration which is applicable to all stars must allow for differences in chemical composition and other properties, which may require the use of theoretical models. I discuss some difficulties encountered in the calibration procedure that are related (1) to the determinations of stellar temperatures, luminosities and chemical compositions, (2) to remaining weaknesses of theoretical stellar models, and (3) to the transformations of the model outputs from the (M-bol,T-eff) plane into any colour-magnitude or colour-colour diagram.