Born in Rome, 1969
About Federico Pignatelli
Prince Federico Pignatelli della Leonessa was born in Rome, Italy, in 1969. He hails from a family of ancient Italian nobles with roots dating back to 900 AD and direct ties to Pope Innocenzo XII.
Italy, Switzerland, London
From Finance to Photography
Pignatelli began his career in his home country of Italy, where he worked as a real estate developer and a leading financial journalist in monetary policy, before segueing into prominent careers in international finance in Switzerland and London.
After working as a Managing Director for several major investment banking and brokerage firms, including E.F. Hutton, Ladenburg & Thalmann, and Gruntal Co., he founded his own investment banking firm, EuroCapital Partners.
He later served as Chairman and then Chief Executive of BIOLASE, the dental laser company, and won the ASTRUM Award for innovation leadership in 2011.
After several successful and rewarding years in investment banking, Pignatelli decided to follow his enduring passion for photography. This led him to the creation of PIER59 STUDIOS.
It was part of my personal evolution to attempt to run a business and be artistic at the same time.
Federico Pignatelli, “Federico’s Way”, The Daily
Chelsea, Manhattan, 1994
PIER59 STUDIOS
PIER59 STUDIOS is a unique real estate development project started by Mr. Pignatelli in 1994. The studio space encompasses an entire pier in the fashionable Chelsea district of Manhattan.
The studios feature substantial open spaces, cathedral ceilings, and the best natural light the city has to offer. It comprises eleven unique column-free studios and the largest sound stage in Manhattan. Space totals 110,000 square feet, the length of three city blocks.
Commonly referred to as “The Hollywood of Photography”, PIER59 STUDIOS is the paramount location for photographic and video productions and a center of international creativity.
- 110,000square feet
- The length of three city blocks
- Elevencolumn-free studios
- The largest sound stage in Manhattan
New York to Los Angeles
Art and Fashion Group
Pignatelli is the founder-owner and president of ART AND FASHION GROUP (AFG). Under his direction, Pier59 Studios and AFG tend to the diverse needs of the advertising and fashion industries from New York to Los Angeles.
Beyond talent representation and production services, AFG houses a media group comprising The Industry MGMT Group and Amazon Film Production.
Photographer, designer, architect
Behind the Camera
Pignatelli has always been a passionate admirer and collector of photography. Many of his photographs have been published, including those appearing within his book, “THE GREAT BEAUTY.”
However, his creative passion stems far beyond the photographic realm. Pignatelli is, at heart, also a designer and architect.
I designed the studios myself. And my house.
Federico Pignatelli, “The Man with the Golden Arm”, Genlux
New York, Beverly Hills, Milan
Between Three Cities
Pignatelli has homes in New York, Beverly Hills, and Milan and is currently investing in advanced technologies in the Semiconductor and Medical fields.