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Behind the Lens: Melania Trump’s Daring Photoshoot That Shocked a Famous Photographer!

BBG News

He’s the Parisian turned New Yorker who has captured some of the world’s most beautiful women… in its most exotic locations.

Since leaving France for America in the 90s, Antoine Verglas’s iconic portraits of Pamela Anderson, Angelina Jolie, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista and, of course, Melania Trump — to name just a few — have graced the covers of all the top glossy magazines.

Having studied at business school and worked briefly as a TV host, Verglas is self-taught behind the camera. But his intimate and provocative style quickly saw him establish himself among the Big Apple’s most sought-after photographers.

‘Television was great but it wasn’t really my passion,’ Verglas tells the Daily Mail. ‘I had interviewed Sharon Stone and had a lot of success in France. Yet I was drawn to New York.’

And he was an instant hit: one of his first assignments was snapping supermodel Cindy Crawford.

Today, his Downtown Manhattan studio is resplendent with huge canvas prints of his favorite star subjects.

Among all the star-studded photoshoots I’ve admired, there’s one that continues to stand out – a timeless gem that can still captivate even after a quarter of a century has passed.

For a bold James Bond-inspired cover of British GQ in 2000, Verglas, now 60, captured then 26-year-old model Melania Knauss in a series of daring, semi-nude poses, using her boyfriend Donald Trump’s private jet as the backdrop.

She was ‘perfect for the role’, Verglas purrs — and it’s easy to see why…

MELANIA TRUMP 

British GQ, 2000

When Verglas was asked by GQ’s editors to suggest the perfect beauty for their 007-inspired cover, he didn’t think twice. 

The woman who instantly flashed into his mind for the assignment checked all the ‘bond-girl’ boxes: killer looks, a smoldering sense of mystique and cheekbones to ‘Live and Let Die’ for.

It didn’t hurt that the Slovenian model was also dating New York City’s most flamboyant tycoon, who would later offer up his customized private Boeing 727 airliner for the shoot.

Melania Knauss — who, of course, is now two-first First Lady Melania Trump – was ‘perfect for the role, just perfect… and so beautiful,’ says Verglas.

In 1998, Melania was introduced to Trump by Paulo Zampolli, a regular business partner of Verglas and the founder of ID Models, whom she had met after moving from her homeland Slovenia.

‘I was working frequently with Paulo for different magazines,’ Verglas explains. ‘And I’d photographed Melania before. The director of British GQ said to me, “I’d like to do a James Bond-inspired shoot. Do you know anyone who’d be good for that?”

Initially, I merely considered; however, now I firmly believe. Melania seemed ideal due to her distinctive Slavic features, reminiscent of a Bond girl from the James Bond movies.

‘That’s how everything began. After Donald Trump generously provided his aircraft, an incredible tale unfolded. She became the main character, the Bond girl, against a breathtaking James Bond-like backdrop.’

When the images emerged, they stirred quite a reaction, as the provocative title on the January 2000 issue proclaimed: “Supermodel Stripped Down Edition!

Another declared: ‘Sex at 30,000ft, Melania Knauss earns her air miles.’

The photograph fully displayed Melania sitting on Trump’s private plane, gazing straight into the camera lens, lying seductively on a fur while wearing nothing but high heels, a necklace, a bracelet, and handcuffs. However, all sensitive details were skillfully obscured.

In another photo, she stands on the airplane’s steps wearing high heels, dressed in silver lingerie with a shaggy fur coat draped over her shoulders. She has a stern, no-nonsense expression on her face.

However, the true Bond-like imagery is depicted in two striking shots. In one scene, she sits on the wing of an aircraft, clad in a red thong and bra, complete with sunglasses and unusual heel-less boots. She then spins around and readies herself, aiming her chrome gun.

In the other, dressed in lace-up leather mini-shorts, arm-length gloves and an intriguing headpiece, ‘pilot’ Melania steps out onto the plane’s wing carrying a briefcase. It’s a truly arresting image.

Contrary to the claims that the ‘naked’ supermodel edition of the shoot featured Melania, 60-year-old Verglas makes it crystal clear just how much of Melania was exposed in his photographs.

‘There is no full nudity […] It’s very suggestive, it’s implied, it’s sensual,’ he says. ‘[But] I never expose, I never do real nudity. There’s a way to hide, an arm there, a hip there, a touch of clothing here.

‘Melania was a beautiful model at the time and she was willing to play the part like that. And she did a fantastic job, great to work with. She can be very seductive. Even these days when I am watching how stunning she is… the aura that she has. She is a gorgeous woman, she always has been and I believe she is growing more confident with age. She’s not the young girl that I used to know.’

So what was 26-year-old Melania Knauss like away from the camera? 

‘She’s not smiling in the shoot, she didn’t have to smile, I wanted serious for this,’ Verglas says. ‘But she can smile, she has a good sense of humor, actually.’

Remembering the day of the shot at New York’s LaGuardia airport, he picks out the daring red-thong wing shot. ‘I was inspired by the James Bond movies and I thought it would be cool to have her out on the wing of the plane,’ he says.

She showed no hesitation when I asked her if it was okay, she was completely fine with it. She remained calm and composed, even though she was wearing boots without heels.

However, Verglas asserts boldly that Melania would have never agreed to model anything with a higher degree of exposure.

Unlike Carla Bruni, wife of France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy and another model-turned-First Lady to be photographed by Verglas, who happily went nude for shoots. 

One image of Bruni, taken by a different photographer, sold at auction for $57,000 in 2018.

‘Melania wouldn’t do what Carla did,’ Verglas says. ‘She has always been pretty reserved, self-confident, but reserved. In fact, I would say a bit of a prude, actually. Yes, that’s the right word, a prude. I say that in a nice way.’

In her latest autobiography, the First Lady expressed her pride regarding the GQ photoshoot. Verglas comments that this is warranted, stating, “Given her stunning looks and remarkable physical attributes, it’s only fitting to preserve them with exceptional photographs.

‘I’ve always had a great time with Melania. We must have done at least a dozen shoots together over the years, including one later for the Sport Illustrated swimsuit edition in Mexico.’

HEIDI KLUM and SARAH MURDOCH (then known as Sarah O’Hare)

Sports Illustrated 1999 Swimsuit Edition, Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

German model Heidi Klum remains another firm favorite of Verglas.

‘I’ve worked with her for many years right at the start of her career when she was living in Miami,’ he says.

‘Lots of work for Victoria’s Secret, a bunch of magazines, and I’m still working with her. She has a fantastic personality, she enjoys life so much.’

One spectacular shoot on Necker Island, the private retreat of tycoon Sir Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands, was particularly demanding… for the models.

Klum and others, such as the Australian-raised British TV host Sarah O’Hare (now Sarah Murdoch, wife of Rupert Murdoch’s son Lachlan), were captured on the beach wearing swimsuits crafted from body paint.

Klum and O’Hare had to spend at least five hours being painted for the shoot. The resulting illusion was astonishing, considering the models were actually naked.

Verglas remarks, “It appears as though they’re dressed, but it’s actually just skillful body painting on those stunning physiques.

ANGELINA JOLIE

British GQ, New York City, 2003

Actress Angelina Jolie’s raw ‘animalistic sexuality’ that blew Verglas away from the moment he first laid eyes on her, he reveals. 

‘I saw her in the elevator for the shoot in New York and I was thinking, wow, she’s stunning,’ he says. ‘Very tall and imposing. A magnetic, almost hypnotic aura around her.

‘It was 2003 for British GQ and my role was to take a series of shots to undress her for the magazine. 

‘The sensual and sexual draw of her was animalistic, that’s the only way I can describe it.’

However, there was a surprise in store.

‘She was extremely at ease with nudity, being naked in front of me. Except when it came to shooting. She didn’t want to reveal too much flesh in the images. She was so natural otherwise.’

PAMELA ANDERSON

New York City, 2023

Former Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson is a relative newcomer to the Verglas portfolio, but now a fixture. 

‘I’d never worked with her before and always worshipped her,’ he says. ‘Two years ago she came her to the studio and I was so excited to meet her.

‘And I was seduced, so natural, so friendly, actually so humble, so approachable. You can feel the kindness in her. 

‘Another person with an incredible aura around them.’

Anderson, whose battles have been portrayed in a Netflix documentary, recently made the bold decision to go makeup-free for a more natural look. 

Although for the Verglas set she was heavily made up. 

‘She just wants to be herself now,’ he adds.

BEYONCÉ

Maxim, 2002  

In the year 2002, Verglas undertook a new mission reminiscent of Bond’s adventures, partnering this time with the globally renowned pop icon, Beyoncé. Notably, Beyoncé graced the cover of Maxim magazine to promote the comedy spy flick “Austin Powers in Goldmember”.

He had worked with her the previous year in Nashville, Tennessee, shooting the ‘8 Days of Christmas’ album cover for her band Destiny’s Child. 

But for this session, the iconic singer and now wife of Jay-Z turned up at his former studio in Tribeca, New York City for a day of intense photography.

Verglas pointed out that she was dressed head to toe in gold, a fitting choice given the movie’s theme, and Beyoncé seemed to embrace the shoot wholeheartedly, making it clear she was enjoying the spoof film.

‘She could not have been more delightful to work with and so kind to all the people around her. On these occasions, there’s always a publicist for someone like her, then hair, make-up, a stylist.

‘I always give it everything I’ve got, but the way Beyoncé worked and behaved so beautifully made me want to push myself even harder to make the shoot a success. She’s another person with an amazing aura around her.’

Two years later, the pair met again. ‘But it was in a New York restaurant,’ says the celebrity photographer. ‘And she came up and said hi.

‘I was pretty impressed actually because celebrities like her run into so many people, but she remembered me and made a point of re-connecting. That’s definitely not how some others behave.’

ANNA NICOLE SMITH

Calendar shoot, Miami

This iconic blonde bombshell was more troublesome. 

The late Anna Nicole Smith ‘was definitely unable to get up before noon or 1:00pm’ for a calendar shoot depicting her as equally tragic Marilyn Monroe, Verglas reveals. 

During their tour, she resided on a moving bus with a group of musicians, whose names I currently can’t recall, and it’s safe to say that she was living life to the fullest. In the nights, she would indulge quite heavily in partying.

‘But amazingly, the moment she was in front of the camera, that all changed. It was such a dramatic transformation. One minute she was out of it, then totally focused and hard at work.

In front of the camera, she seemed to truly blossom and demonstrated exceptional modeling skills. Her gaze, fixed on the lens, was captivatingly intense. It was simply awe-inspiring.

‘Although there was a lot of champagne and medication.’

MARIAH CAREY

Maxim, 2003

The singer’s sexy Maxim cover shoot took Verglas on whirlwind trip to Tokyo for 24 hours. 

‘She was very welcoming. She gave a concert that evening and there was a fair bit of champagne,’ the photographer says.

‘I thought, there’s no way she’s going to get up for 9:00am for the shoot so we went for noon. 

Turned out, she arrived quite late in the afternoon. We completed the photoshoot and departed from the country. The experience was utterly wild.

PARIS HILTON 

British magazine Arena, 2000  

Paris Hilton was among the initial individuals who recognized her potential and played a significant role in launching her career towards fame and some degree of infamy, captivated by her charisma.

She had an indescribable quality that left a profound impact on you.

The way she presented herself on camera captivated me, and I find her an intriguing subject. She is truly a remarkable woman.

NAOMI CAMPBELL

Verglas’s easy-going style as he chats is reflected in his approach to the models, including the more difficult ones, and the resulting photographs. 

He finds he rarely has to put them at ease and is diplomatic about any less than polite behavior from his subjects – except British supermodel Naomi Campbell in her younger years. 

But even then he gives her the benefit of the doubt.

Verglas acknowledges that on one occasion, he encountered challenges since Naomi was running late due to having another obligation to attend to.

‘It was tough, you know. Maybe I was the one having an off day.

‘But the next time I worked with her I laid on the champagne and everything went fine. Definitely in a better mood. 

‘She was adorable on that occasion. Tough one day, adorable the next. Had to woo her.’

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2025-03-17 22:19

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