‘Mario is a great travel companion. He’s at home anywhere in the world, knows people everywhere, speaks five languages, and quickly adjusts to any new environment. He makes his shoots seem easy when they aren’t, and if he’s stressed, it never shows. His charming manner makes the impossible happen, and makes everyone around him feel good. Each trip I’ve done with Mario has taken us away from his familiar locations – a beach in Rio, a grand mansion, or a sophisticated world capital – to remote spas. Very early on our first morning at the fantastic Viva Mayr clinic, we had an idea to photograph Karlie as a 1920s dancer. Mario saw that the light was perfect, knew exactly how he wanted to shoot, and decided on this spot in a few minutes. I think his favorite part of our trips and the shoots is that the photographs aren’t about fashion, but rather about illustrating ideas, often without clothes.’

Phyllis Posnick

Recognised for his extraordinary ability to seize the most private of moments in his photographs, Mario Testino offers the viewer new perspectives on famous faces. Testino’s work has been exhibited internationally, including the National Portrait Gallery, London; the Shanghai Art Museum; MALBA, Buenos Aires; and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Alongside his 40-year practice as a photographer, Testino was awarded the Grand Cross Order of Merit in 2010, one of the highest honours in his native country of Peru, as well as the Order of the British Empire in 2013 in recognition of his remarkable career and charity work.