Mario Testino

Mario Testino (born 1954) is a Peruvian photographer internationally celebrated for his influential contributions to fashion photography and portraiture. Known for his glamorous, emotionally resonant, and sensually charged images, Testino has worked extensively with major fashion houses such as Gucci, Burberry, CHANEL, and Dolce & Gabbana. His photographs have been featured in leading global publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair, and V Magazine, where his refined aesthetic and ability to capture raw intimacy have helped define the visual language of modern luxury and celebrity culture.

Born in Lima into a traditional Catholic family with no ties to the fashion or entertainment industries, Testino moved to London in 1976 to pursue photography. He began his career by apprenticing with John Vickers and Paul Nugent before receiving his first commission from British Vogue—a project that marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration with stylist Lucinda Chambers. Drawing deeply from his Peruvian upbringing and summers spent in Brazil, Testino developed a photographic style that challenges conventional notions of gender while highlighting sensuality over overt sexuality. His portraits often balance high glamour with genuine emotion, offering glimpses into the private personas of his subjects.

Testino’s impressive body of work extends beyond celebrity and fashion to include fine art and cultural documentation. His recent project, A Beautiful World, reflects his global vision—capturing individuals and communities across diverse geographies and identities with empathy and reverence. Whether photographing royalty, supermodels, or people encountered during his travels, Testino is known for unveiling the human essence behind the façade.

His work has been the subject of numerous international exhibitions at institutions including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (In Your Face, 2012), the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin (Undressed, 2017), the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid (Todo o Nada, 2010), and Foam in Amsterdam (Portraits, 2003). He has also exhibited at the Nicola Erni Collection in Lucerne, the Shanghai Art Museum, and multiple galleries across Europe and the United States. In addition to his exhibitions, Testino has published more than 16 books with publishers such as Taschen and the National Portrait Gallery, including Let Me In!, SIR, Alta Moda, Ciao, and Undressed.

Testino’s distinctive ability to merge editorial sophistication with emotional authenticity has established him as one of the most important photographers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.