Monte’s x IP




Monte’s x Ignored Prayers 

Creative Direction · Illustration · Apparel Design · Brand Collaboration

My good friend PJ Monte launched his namesake brand Monte’s Fine Foods, building on his family’s century-old restaurant and sauce legacy. PJ’s deep roots in food culture—and his natural ability to bridge tradition with contemporary taste—made this collaboration especially meaningful.

Together, we created Mother Mary’s Tomatoes, a tongue-in-cheek visual identity that fused Italian-American heritage with IP’s irreverence. The first release sold out in a single day, leading to a second limited drop celebrating Monte’s debut in Target. For that edition, we updated the design with a Target-inspired twist, adding Target’s branding to our tomatoes while making Mary the centerpiece of the story.

Executed across hats, and long sleeve tees, the collaboration honored both brands’ shared ethos of humor, faith, and family—bridging sacred nostalgia with modern street sensibility.

Model: Sean “B” Benton

Roles & Contributions:
• Concept Development & Creative Direction
• Illustration & Graphic Design
• Apparel Design & Production Oversight
• Brand Collaboration Strategy
• Packaging & Visual Identity Integration