Fashion’s favourite photographer Mario Testino turns sixty today, we celebrate by looking back through his top seven moments
7 Wonders loves to celebrate a birthday, and today it’s the turn of legendary fashion photographer Mario Testino. Having shot everyone from Lady Gaga to Lady Di, he is often called the most important fashion photographer of our time, and he hits the big six-0 today. Testino can be credited with doing so much during his career, from helping to resurrect Gucci in the 90’s, to turning Gisele into the supermodel we know her as today, and taking a multitude of royal portraits too, including Kate and Wills’ engagement photo. Testino is synonymous with both real and fashion royalty, having a special relationship with Kate Moss that has spawned its own glamorous coffee table book.
With so many reasons to love Mario Testino, and so many thousands of photos to choose from, deciding on the best seven was no easy task. Regardless, here are our favourite Testino photographs from through the years. Happy Birthday Mario!
KATE
With quite literally a whole book of Kate Moss images to choose from, it’s hard to sum up exactly in one image the relationship between the world’s top model and premier photographer. This iconic photo of Kate sat on the sink of a mirrored bathroom, lipstick in hand while the flash bounds around the walls is unforgettable.
THE COVERS
Mario Testino has shot over 60 covers of British Vogue, including last year’s edition starring Cara Delevingne.
GISELE
It’s not just Kate who he made famous, as Testino is also credited with helping turn Gisele into the supermodel she is today by shooting her repeatedly. This iconic shot is pure mid 2000’s tacky glamour.
DIANA
Princess Diana’s photoshoot with Testino for Vanity Fair in 1997 will be remembered forever as her last. The beautiful and intimate photos has secured Mario Testino’s position as photographer for many other royal portraits since.
ANNA
From one kind of royalty, to the other: Mario Testino shot the one and only Anna Wintour for Wall Street Journal Magazine, capturing a down to earth side of fashion’s most famous icy figure.
THE CAMPAIGNS
The photographer behind many fantastic ad campaigns, this classic one for Burberry is particularly memorable.
CONTROVERSIAL
In the 1990’s Eva Herzigova was known mostly for her work in the very sexy Wonderbra campaign, so Testino photographed her in the complete opposite context: wielding a knife, whilst covered in blood for a Vogue Paris editorial titled ‘The Butcher’.
Words: Elliot Rose