Mario Testino

Mario Testino (b. 1954) is a highly influential photographer known for his work in fashion and portraiture. He has played a defining role in shaping the visual identity of major fashion houses including Gucci, Burberry, CHANEL, and Dolce & Gabbana. His photographs have been featured in leading international publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, and V Magazine, establishing his reputation as one of the most iconic image-makers of his generation.

Born in Lima, Peru, Testino moved to London in 1976 to pursue photography, despite having no direct ties to the fashion or entertainment industries. He gained early experience working in the studios of John Vickers and Paul Nugent, and secured his first major commission with British Vogue. This opportunity marked the beginning of a decades-long collaboration with stylist Lucinda Chambers and helped launch his career. Drawing inspiration from his Peruvian heritage and time spent in Brazil, Testino developed a visual language rooted in sensuality and intimacy. His ability to capture private, human moments in glamorous contexts has made his portraits of supermodels, celebrities, royalty, and everyday individuals both iconic and deeply resonant.

Testino’s photographs have been the subject of major solo museum exhibitions around the world. These include Smile! at the Nicola Erni Collection (2020), Undressed at the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin (2017), In Your Face at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2012), Private View at the Shanghai Art Museum (2012), Todo o Nada at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid (2010), and Portraits at both the Metropolitan Museum of Photography in Tokyo (2004) and FOAM in Amsterdam (2003).

Over 16 monographs have been published on his work, including Let Me In! (Taschen, 2007), Portraits (National Portrait Gallery, 2002), In Your Face (Taschen, 2012), Alta Moda (Museo MATE, 2013), SIR (Taschen, 2015), Undressed (Taschen, 2017), and Ciao (Taschen, 2020).

Testino continues to explore new subjects and global cultures through projects such as A Beautiful World, a photographic series highlighting diversity across cultures, identities, and traditions. His work remains at the forefront of contemporary visual culture, celebrated for its blend of glamour, humanity, and global perspective.