Mario TESTINO
1954, Peru

Mario Testino is one of the world’s most influential photographers. His cultural and commercial zeitgeist has made him a much sought after creative partner in the fashion and beauty industry today. His work has been featured across the globe in magazines from Vogue to Vanity Fair and he has contributed to the success of many leading fashion and beauty houses through advertising campaigns, from Burberry and Gucci to Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.

Testino has had many exhibitions of his photography in museums and galleries around the world. In 2002 The National Portrait Gallery in London opened his exhibition, Portraits by Mario Testino, which is still their highest attended exhibit on record. It then travelled to Milan, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Tokyo, Mexico City and Lima. In 2010, Testino was invited by the renowned Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid to exhibit his work, one of the few living artists to have done so. He has also been invited by the prestigious Museum of Fine Art in Boston, USA, to exhibit in a new show due to open in October 2012; his first museum show in the United States of America.

As a portrait photographer he captures the actors, beauties and worldwide celebrities of the moment, as well as receiving royal commissions from The Prince of Wales, Prince William, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Diana Princess of Wales, and Her Majesty Queen Rania al Abdullah of Jordan.

In addition to his work in the world’s greatest magazines, Mario Testino has published 10 books of his photography, including MaRio de Janeiro Testino, a tribute to the city and its people that have inspired him so much. His most recent book, Kate Moss by Mario Testino, is a collection of photographs taken of his close friend and muse during their twenty year relationship.

Mario Testino has received many awards internationally among other recognitions for his achievements. Testino, who was born in Lima, Peru, was awarded his country’s highest honour in 2010, the Grand Cross Order of Merit, presented to him by the President of Peru. More recently, 2011 marked his 30 years as a photographer. In that year his career was highlighted with a number of honours, including the Gold Medal from the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, which is presented to individuals from Spain, the United States and Latin America who have played a significant role in strengthening the relationship between the Spanish-speaking world and the United States.

2012 will bring the realisation of Testino’s next project, MATE, an Association in his home of Lima, Peru, that carries his name with a mission to promote culture to both local and international audiences through artistic programmes.

Testino’s less public face is that of being a visionary entrepreneur. He has recently established a creative agency both in London and Sao Paulo, Brazil, in order to channel his 30 years of success and experience in the business of building and developing brand names in the luxury arena.

Source: http://www.mariotestino.com