His Constant Search

Visceral and often voyeuristic, iconic lensman MARIO TESTINO’s hard-bodied portraits have made him fashion world royalty . Vogue India editor PRIYA TANNA meets the ace photographer in Jaipur to discuss how he finds beauty in everything

- Priya Tanna

His photographs do not speak a thousand words to me. Not even when a bare-bodied Kate Moss is staring at me for the umpteenth time, invoking a provocation only she can. Not even when it is an image of the late Princess Diana, dazzling with her cheekbones and chutzpah in a one-shoulder gown, immortalised in my mind forever. Words cannot legitimise the impact of his work. Mario Testino’s images sizzle with a heady sensuality that is guaranteed to create a stir. And this unique vision has secured his singular position in the fashion firmament—as the superhero of fashion and celebrity photography.

Possessing the dual superpowers of being a creative genius whose three-decade-long career has also earned him much commercial success, his significance is unparalleled. He is royalty at front rows, on speed dial with stars and designers alike, and, if you were to visit his Wikipedia profile, his career highlights and achievements alone will take you days to scope out. It quotes: “Alongside his practice as a photographer, Testino has also worked as a creative director, guest editor, museum founder, art collector/collaborator and entrepreneur.” It really doesn’t get more multi-hyphenate than this.

I have followed Testino’s work closely for years now— in particular, the Gisele Bündchen images, those daring campaigns for Gucci in its Tom Ford days, and the entire Diana portfolio. Up until now, our paths have only crossed socially. But over the years, I have sporadically reached out to him to shoot for Vogue India, and it’s taken a full decade for this to happen.