16 OctMonty Shadow Visionary Maverick Creative Genius
An Unconventional Genius
A great genius soul and an incredible“human connector”who left his mark
Movements of Maverick
Monty Shadow was a great photographer who crossed, with his creative vision, the world of fashion, sport, automotive, publishing, art and luxury to create unimaginable synergies of great success.
He mastered the art ofCross-Brandingbefore it became a subject of study in the world of Marketing and Communications and, through his formidable Public Relations skills, he shaped the foundation of his creative journey. He was an incredible “human connector” who left his mark on those who knew him and who preserve the memory of a great and brilliant soul with a heart always at the service of innovation. Aformidable PR, the world’s most important brands have entrusted him and his artistic consultancy with the organization of a wide range of events, be they photo shoots or public relations interventions, acting as an intermediary between Italy,London,Monte Carlo,New YorkandLos Angeles.
“Monty was a Maverick, an eminence grise, who worked completely outside the management structures”
and was described by his friendJohann Rupert, boss ofRichemontas“one of the greatest truffle dogs”who also brought to light one of the greatest success stories of haute horlogerie of the 21st century and one of the most enduring relationships between movie stars and watches in the history of watchmaking:Panerai…………….
However, his lens was chosen to best enhance the image of many large companies such as RollsRoyce, Ferrari, Mercedes, AMG – Mercedes, Daimler – Chrysler, Richemont, Vendome, Esso, Sun International, Royal Resorts, Ellesse, Fila, Polaroid, De Beers, Riva, Revox, Fila, Polaroid, Hasselblad, Contax, Nikon, Zepter, Tullio Abbate etc.
His lively imagination anticipated brilliant journalistic intuitions working forViva, Time, Life, Omni, Vogue, ll Piacere, Excellence, Sun, Playboy, Penthouse, Donna, Grand Prix, Sport Illustrated, Gazzetta dello Sport, California Sport & Fitness, Symbol, Paris Match, Stern, Focus, Maxand many others, reaching almost 3000 coverscreativty.
“With his camera he can do everything. For this reason he is one of the most famous photographers in the world.”
In London, in the late 70’s, Monty Shadow works for Conde‘ Nast Vogue, becoming a great photographer, inspired by culture and school education. He was thephotographerin charge of shootingSalvador Dali’in Cadaques for the Magazine “Scarab” made byScabal, a Luxury Belgian textile company .
The magic of his lens has captured also tropical light in images of rare beauty, he has challenged tenths of a second, fixing forever the most exciting sporting events, he has undressed the most beautiful women in the world with an irresistible sensuality.” Numerous awards, including two portfolios dedicated to him by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, have rewarded his hidden artistic talent.
Monty’s Shadow Editorial World
He has been publishing and editingSymbolInternationalMagazine, one of the fathers of the “Coffee Table” Magazines (magazines that combine aesthetics and cultural content) since1978together withGino Gervasoni, the famous and legendary gentleman who later became owner of theRiva Boats Company.
Monty Shadowhas signed the covers ofSternmagazine, the GermanElle,Harpers Bazar and the best international publications of the80s. In the late 1970s, 1980s and 1990s he created a new era in graphic design and photography through images published on over 900 covers ofModa,King,Vogue, California, Sport&Fitness, Village, together with the great editor and journalist Vittorio Corona, as well as many other lifestyle magazines and publications. In the 80s and 90s his vast experience extended to the world of cinema and built a platform of relationships in which art, photography, culture and quality became an element of communicative strength. Together withJason Binnin USA Monty Shadow creates 14 famous magazines such asOcean Drive,Hamptons,Gotham, etc…
With the same sensuality and creativity he has worked as Art Director for several magazines, books, and special editions and has been the creator of numerous projects and events such asFormula OneEvents,the Fitness Festival, theWorld Sports Awardand theAcademy of Sport, theWorld Music Award,GolfTournaments andATPTennis Tournament events.
He has collaborated and provided consultancy for companies such asDaimler Chrysler,Mercedes,Richemont, in their events all over the world and has become one of the best prestigious image-makers, enjoying the fame ofextraordinary P.R.
An international and world-wide man, expert inMarketing and Communications, inBusiness Strategies, in Operational Plans and Strategiesat an unimaginable level. His creative soul has been put at the service of the world of cinema and photographic and video productions, collaborating on upcoming productions, feature films and has created advertising campaigns leaving its mark on those productions.
His friends also includeHSH Prince Rainieri Grimaldi, his familyHSH Prince Albert of Monaco, HSH Princess Caroline of Monaco,King Juan Carlos of Spain with his HSH family, the Sultan of Brunei, the Arab Princes, etc.
Monty’s Shadow Showbiz & Luxury World
He has shot from the world of entertainment to show business, such asSylvester Stallone,Robert De Niro,Arnold Schwarzenegger,Steven Seagal,Michael Douglas,Kevin Costner,Richard Gere,Sean Connery,Jessiga Lange,Julia Roberts,Madonna,Sharon Stone,Kim Basinger,Sandra Bullock,Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Jackson, George Michael, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavarotti, Eros Ramazzotti,and many other stars of the old and new era.
He helped create the winning image of F1 together with his friend Bernie Ecclestone, and his photographic lens celebrated the greatest champions such asAyrton Senna, Michael Jordan, Alberto Tomba, Sergey Bubka Boris Becker, David Coulthard, Jacques Villeneuve, Sergey Bubka, Tiger Woodsetc…
From the world of entertainment to the ateliers of prestigious stylists such asArmani, Versace, Stefano Ricci, Alaia, etc., his name was the key to opening any door in the field of Fashion where he shared an esteem and a great friendship withFranca Sozzani, director ofVogue Italia.
Monty’s Shadow Art & Luxury World
He collaborated withTaschen, the world’s largest publisher of books and visual cultural products, and is behind major editorial projects such as the bookFerrari by Taschen created for the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Italian brand. Countless cross-branding projects such as Pirelli andRoger Dubuis,Taschen & Pirelli,Mercedes & IWCand many others are just a few examples of his incredible ability to generate innovative ideas.
Esteemed byEnzo Ferrariand his sonPiero, Monty Shadow created thefirst official Ferrari S.p.A. calendarin a limited edition in1992.
He was of the creator ofLaureus World Sport Award, LaureusSport For Good andLaureus Foundation, and credator ofSt. Moritz Art Masters Festival, the most prestigious artistic and cultural event on the roof of the world with more than 400 artists of art, photography, design, architecture.
The prestigious Life Achievement Award created byCartier, in the decade 2008 – 2017, has honored artists such asRobert Indiana, Richard Long, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, William Klein, Oscar Niemeyer, Ai Wei Wei, Nalini Malani, Lucio Fontana, Albert Watson, Flavio Manzoni for the Ferrari Design Team.St Mortz Art Mastershas brought more than400artists with their works of art, sculptures, installations involving the world of photography, design and architecture in the Engadine, becoming a symbol of quality and culture, which has promoted St. Moritz in the world.
Without obstacles and spreading from one field to another, through companies, from men to people, from the past to the future, Monty Shadow was the man, the genius, who signed time with his drops of creativity to chase the “cosmic” light that not all men can reach.
An incredible “Human Connector”
and those who knew him, cherish the memory of him, aGreat Manwith a great soul, brilliant and generous and a heart always at the service ofCreativity”