The Shadow, the Alter Ego of Remarkable Men
To celebrate its iconic sneaker, Berluti unveils a new campaign, directed by Beda Achermann and photographed by Roe Ethridge. This series of striking images captures the essence of the Shadow while exploring the subtle bond it shares with the men who wear it. Each portrait is set in a carefully chosen environment, a backdrop that amplifies and reinforces the identity of these remarkable individuals.
THE SHADOW SNEAKER: AN INTIMATE ALLIANCE WITH MEN IN STEP WITH THEIR TIME
Since its debut in 2019, the Shadow sneaker has established itself as Berluti’s most celebrated shoe, embraced by men who seek the perfect synthesis of style and comfort. Like the shadow from which it draws its name, this sneaker quietly accompanies its wearer throughout life. As he evolves, so too does his shoe.
The aim of this campaign was to translate visually the full spectrum of qualities that define this extraordinary shoe and account for its enduring appeal: intimacy, style, innovation, and comfort.
The imagery captures the pivotal role the Shadow sneaker plays in the lives of those who wear it.
Three exceptional talents distinct yet complementary were photographed in spaces that resonate deeply with them: the places where they live, think, create, and pursue their passions. The Shadow follows these remarkable individuals as they write the stories of their lives, intimately attuned to their journeys, step by step.
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Each portrait is anchored in a carefully selected setting, a backdrop that amplifies and reinforces the essence of these singular silhouettes.
“I wanted to capture three men, three complementary figures, to reveal the richness of a shared truth. They embody singular convictions and creative impulses that are uniquely their own. Beside them, the Shadow emerges as the natural ally of charismatic men,” explains Beda Achermann.
THREE TALENTS, THREE STORIES OF SHOES
Because a signature is never experienced in the same way twice, this campaign gives voice to three personalities, three distinct expressions of style, three ways of inhabiting shadow and light.
Within the intimacy of Rupert Everett: Shadow as an extension of the self.
Rupert Everett, the British actor, writer and director, is portrayed in the intimacy of his home, where he reads, writes and reflects. This simple and understated setting beautifully illustrates the Shadow’s inherent comfort, accompanying him without ever compromising his genuine self.
Shadow in motion, on the feet of chef Mory Sacko
An emblematic figure of the new wave of French gastronomy, Mory Sacko is captured in his kitchen, his laboratory of wonders, where, for the sheer joy of it, he explores and shapes a cuisine in constant evolution. The Shadow sneaker extends the innovative gestures of a chef who moves freely and instinctively.
Charles Schumann: a dandy in sneakers
Charles Schumann, legendary bartender and modern dandy, projects an iconic silhouette that travels as much as he does, from Munich to Japan, a land whose aesthetics and spirit he embodies in natural resonance with the Maison. He is photographed in his flagship bar, Schumann’s, a landmark of Munich’s social and cultural scene, animated by his magnetic presence. Here, the Shadow becomes an instinctive extension of his cosmopolitan elegance: composed, deliberate, yet effortlessly relaxed and fluid, never relinquishing an ounce of sophistication.
Through this campaign, Berluti casts the Shadow sneaker as a lens onto modern masculinity exploring individuality, hidden dimensions, and the nuanced traits that define a man’s allure.
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