His signature style emerged, blending classic portraiture and composition with the vitality, bold colours and sensuality of his homeland. His work caught the eye of Vogue in 1983 and from there he built a reputation contributing to international editions.
His big break, came in 1995 when Testing was hired by Gucci’s new creative director Tom Ford for the FW95 campaign. Testino helped turn around the fortunes of the near-bankrupt Italian brand and introduced an edgy, sexier, more youthful vibe, rendering Gucci relevant to a whole new generation.
His first venture as a writer was through the book, Any Objections which celebrates Testino’s open sexuality and flamboyance, with edgy depictions of super-models, nude Brazilian male sunbathers in Ipanema and further homoerotica
The famed photographer has some serious royal connections. He was picked by Princess Diana for her 1997 Vanity Fair cover shoot. He remains the Photographer of choice for successive generations of Royals.
Testino’s love of photography is a not a job but a calling. His wealth of colourful, energetic and revealing images are destined to leave an enduring legacy, both in the realms of high fashion and pop culture.
To read more about the icon Mario Testino head over to FIB’s Masters of Photography, vol 10 Living Legends, available from Amazon and all good bookstores.
