Monty Shadow was a master photographer whose creative vision spanned the worlds of fashion, sports, automotive, publishing, art, and luxury to create unimaginably successful synergies.
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 a mark on those who knew him and who cherish the memory of a great and brilliant soul with a heart always dedicated to innovation.
A formidablePR expert, he and his artistic consultancy were entrusted by the world’s most important brands to organize a wide range of events, from photoshoots to public relations interventions, acting as a liaison between Italy, London, Monte Carlo, New York, and Los Angeles.
Monty was a maverick, an eminence grise, who worked completely outside the management structures, and was described by his friendJohann Rupert, boss of Richemont, as“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.
It has been written of him: “With his camera he can do anything. That is why he is one of the most famous photographers in the world.” The magic of his lens has captured tropical light in images of rare beauty, he has defied tenths of a second, fixing the most exciting sporting events forever, 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 recognized his hidden artistic talent.
However, his lens has been chosen to enhance the image of many major companies such asRolls Royce, Ferrari, Mercedes, AMG – Mercedes, DaimlerChrysler, Richemont, Vendome, Esso, Sun International, Royal Resorts, Ellesse, Fila, Polaroid, De Beers, Riva, Revox, Fila, Polaroid, Hasselblad, Contax, Nikon, Zepter, Tullio Abbate,and many others. His vivid imagination anticipated brilliant journalistic insights, 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, Max,and many others, resulting in nearly3,000 covers.
He continued the publishing and editorial staff ofSymbol International Magazine, one of the fathers of “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 Shadowcreated the covers ofSternmagazine, theGerman magazine Elle, Harpes’s Bazar,and top international publications of the1980s. In the late1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, he created a new era in graphic design and photography with images appearing on over 900 covers ofModa, King, Vogue, California, Sport&Fitness, and Village,alongside the greateditor and journalist Vittorio Corona, as well as many other lifestyle magazines and publications. In the1980s and 1990s, his extensive experience extended to the world of film, building a platform of relationships where art, photography, culture, and quality became a powerful communicative force. Together withJason Binn in the USA,Monty Shadow created 14 famous magazinessuch asOcean Drive, Hamptons, Gotham, etc. With the same sensuality and creativity, he has workedas an Art Director for various magazines, books, and special editions, and has been the creator of numerous projects and events such asFormula One Events, the Fitness Festival, the World Sports Award and the Academy of Sport, the World Music Award, golf tournaments, and the ATP Tennis Tournament.
He has collaborated and consulted for companies such asDaimler Chrysler, Mercedes, and Richemonton their events around the world and has become one of the top prestigious image makers, enjoying a reputation as an extraordinary PR expert. An international and global man, he is anexpert in Marketing and Communications, Business Strategy, and Operational Plans and Strategiesat an unimaginable level.His creative soulhas been put at the service of the world ofcinemaandphotographyandvideo production, collaborating on upcoming productions, feature films, and creating advertising campaigns, leaving its mark on those productions.His friends also include H.S.H. Prince Rainier Grimaldi, his family H.S.H. Prince Albert, H.S.H. Princess Caroline of Monaco, King Juan Carlos of Spain with his HSH family, the Sultan of Brunei, the Arab Princes, etc.
He has photographed the worlds of entertainment and showbiz, includingSylvester 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 Woods etc…From the world of entertainment to the ateliers of prestigious designers 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, editor ofVogue Italia.
He collaborated withTaschen, the world’s leading publisher of books and visual cultural products, and was behind major publishing projects such as the bookFerrari by Taschen, created for the 50th anniversary of the Italian brand.Numerous cross-branding projects, such as Pirelli and Roger Dubuis, Taschen & Pirelli, Mercedes & IWC,and many others, are just a few examples of his incredible ability to generate innovative ideas.A friend of Enzo Ferrari and his son Piero, Monty Shadow created the first official limited-edition Ferrari S.p.A. calendar in 1992.
He was the creator of the Laureus World Sport Award & Sport For Good event and the Laureus Foundation, as well as the St. Moritz Art Masters,the most prestigious artistic and cultural event on the roof of the world with more than 400 artists from the fields of art, photography, design, and architecture. The prestigiousLife Achievement Award,created by Cartier, has honored artists such asRobert Indiana, Richard Long, Ilya & Emilia Kabakov, William Klein, Oscar Niemeyer, Ai Wei Wei, Nalini Malani, Lucio Fontana, Albert Watson, and Flavio Manzoni for the Ferrari Design Team between 2008 and 2017.St. Moritz Art Mastershas brought more than 400 artistswith their artworks, sculptures, and installations, engaging the world of photography, design, and architecture in the Engadin, becoming a symbol of the quality and culture that has promoted St. Moritz worldwide.
Without obstacles and spreading from one field to another, across 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.Monty Shadow was an incredible “human connector” and those who knew him, cherish the memory of him as a great man with a great soul, brilliant and generous and a heart always at the service of Creativity.
