THE IMAGE MAKERS: MARIO TESTINO AND BURBERRY - A CAPTIVATING PARTNERSHIP IN FASHION

The collaboration between fashion photographer Mario Testino and British luxury brand Burberry has been an influential and enduring partnership in the world of fashion and advertising.

This episode of Fashion Industry Broadcast’s series The Image Makers explores the details of their collaboration, highlighting specific campaigns, models featured, and the years in which these collaborations took place. The creative synergy between Testino’s distinctive vision and Burberry’s iconic brand has resulted in visually captivating campaigns that have left an indelible mark on the fashion industry.

1. The Iconic Fragrance Advertisements:

One of the notable aspects of the Testino-Burberry partnership is their collaboration on fragrance campaigns. Mario Testino’s artistic eye and ability to capture the essence of a brand align perfectly with Burberry’s elegant and sophisticated image. One of the most significant fragrance campaigns they worked on together was for Burberry’s iconic fragrance: Burberry Brit.

In 2002, Testino photographed the Burberry Brit fragrance campaign, featuring British model Stella Tennant. The campaign aimed to capture the youthful spirit and modern elegance associated with the brand. Testino’s ability to create a sense of intimacy and evoke emotions through his photography perfectly complemented Burberry’s vision for the fragrance campaign, resulting in a series of captivating and memorable images.

2. Burberry Fashion Campaigns:

In addition to fragrance campaigns, Mario Testino has also collaborated with Burberry on various fashion campaigns throughout the years. These campaigns have showcased Burberry’s seasonal collections, highlighting the brand’s classic British heritage fused with contemporary style.

One notable Burberry fashion campaign photographed by Testino took place in 2005. The campaign featured British models Kate Moss and actor Ioan Gruffudd, capturing the essence of Burberry’s iconic trench coats and accessories. Testino’s ability to infuse a sense of glamour and allure into the campaign perfectly complemented Burberry’s aesthetic and helped solidify the brand’s position as a global fashion powerhouse.

3. The Year 2016 and Beyond:

The Testino-Burberry partnership continued to flourish in subsequent years. In 2016, Burberry enlisted Testino’s expertise to celebrate the brand’s 160th anniversary. The campaign, titled “Burberry Celebrates,” featured portraits of over 100 British celebrities, shot by Testino. The campaign aimed to highlight Burberry’s longstanding connection with British culture and its commitment to supporting emerging talents in the industry.

The collaboration between Testino and Burberry extended beyond visual campaigns. Testino also worked closely with Burberry on initiatives such as the Burberry Art of the Trench project. This project involved capturing street-style photographs of individuals wearing Burberry trench coats, showcasing the versatility and timeless appeal of the iconic garment.

4. Burberry’s Artistic Vision:

Burberry has always been known for its innovative and artistic approach to fashion. Mario Testino’s ability to translate the brand’s vision into compelling visual narratives has played a crucial role in shaping Burberry’s image. One notable campaign that exemplifies this collaboration is the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2006 collection.

In this campaign, Testino captured the essence of Burberry’s iconic trench coats and showcased their versatility in a fresh and contemporary way. The campaign featured models Lily Donaldson, Gemma Ward, and Lily Cole, among others, embracing the brand’s modern aesthetic. Testino’s ability to combine the classic elements of Burberry with a sense of youthful energy resonated with both existing and new Burberry customers.

5. The Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter 2010 Campaign:

The partnership between Testino and Burberry reached new heights in the Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter 2010 campaign. This campaign featured models Emma Watson and her brother Alex Watson, along with musicians George Craig and Matt Gilmour. The collaboration aimed to showcase the brand’s fusion of classic tailoring with a contemporary edge.

Testino’s fashion storytelling skills were evident in this campaign, as he captured the spirit of the collection and brought it to life through his lens. The images exuded a sense of sophistication and edginess, perfectly encapsulating Burberry’s ability to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.

6. The Evolution of the Testino-Burberry Partnership:

As the years progressed, Mario Testino and Burberry continued to collaborate on various projects, solidifying their partnership as one of the industry’s most enduring and fruitful alliances.

In 2013, Testino shot the Burberry Spring/Summer campaign, featuring models Romeo Beckham, Edie Campbell, and Charlie France. The campaign showcased the brand’s youthful energy and highlighted the innovative use of digital media, as it was the first time Burberry used live-streamed images and videos to engage with its audience.

2015: Burberry Rock and Royalty

Tom Odell, Ella Richards and Harry Treadaway were among stars fronting 2015 “Rock and Royalty” Burberry campaign

Along with the others this campaign created a new star is born in the capital of London today, thanks to Testino and Burberry who snared the offspring of rock and roll royalty to front its 2015 campaign. With an enviably cool family tree made up of both fashion luminaries and rock ‘n’ roll legends, model Ella Richards, 21, is the ultimate modern-day English Rose: her grandfather is Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, while her grandmother, Anita Pallenberg, and mother, Lucie de la Falaise, were both models. So it’s no wonder that Tatler magazine selected her to feature in their forthcoming portfolio, Tatler’s English Roses 2017.

Ella Rose Richards, 18, appears in Burberry’s 2015 autumn/winter ads alongside a brood of bright young Londoners including singer Tom Odell and actress Clara Paget. She follows in the footsteps of her parents who appeared in a campaign for the brand in 2007.

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Furthermore, Testino’s involvement extended to Burberry’s runway shows. He often captured behind-the-scenes moments and candid shots, providing an intimate glimpse into the world of Burberry and its creative process. These images not only added to the brand’s narrative but also showcased Testino’s ability to capture the essence of a fashion event beyond the staged runway presentations.

The specific campaigns mentioned, such as the Burberry Brit fragrance campaign featuring Stella Tennant and the 2005 fashion campaign with Kate Moss and Ioan Gruffudd, exemplify the successful fusion of Testino’s artistic sensibilities and Burberry’s brand aesthetic. Furthermore, their collaboration extended into initiatives that celebrated Burberry’s heritage and engaged with a broader audience.

The partnership between Mario Testino and Burberry has been a testament to the power of collaboration in the fashion industry. Through their combined expertise and shared artistic vision, they have created campaigns that have pushed boundaries, captured the brand’s essence, and resonated with a global audience.

From the iconic fragrance advertisements featuring Stella Tennant to the captivating fashion campaigns with Kate Moss, Emma Watson, and other renowned figures, Testino’s ability to bring Burberry’s creative concepts to life has been exceptional. Their partnership has not only shaped Burberry’s brand identity but has also contributed to the broader cultural landscape of fashion.

As the Testino-Burberry collaboration continues to evolve, it is evident that their shared commitment to innovation, storytelling, and pushing creative boundaries will continue to produce visually stunning campaigns that captivate audiences and solidify their status as industry leaders.

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