Mario Testino selects his finest male portraiture from the past 30 years. As costume, gender play, photojournalism, and fashion collide, this Eden of male allure is testimony both to Testino’s unfailing eye for immediacy and elegance, and to the evolution of male self-expression over the past three decades.
“Sir” by Mario Testino is a major photography book showcasing the artist’s finest male portraiture from the past three decades.
In it, Testino presents over 300 photographs (many previously unpublished) that explore the allure and evolving nature of modern masculinity. The images blend fashion, portraiture, photojournalism, costume, tradition, and gender play — capturing men in all their forms: from the dandy and gentleman to the macho and fey, world-famous celebrities to unknown passersby.
The book features an essay by Pierre Borhan and an interview with Patrick Kinmonth (who also edited it). It is widely regarded as Testino’s largest and most comprehensive exploration of male identity and style.
This is the multilingual (English/French/German) compact hardcover version (often listed as the 40th/45th edition) published by TASCHEN, 512 pages, measuring about 6.1 x 8.5 inches.
About the artist:
Mario Testino’s photography style is synonymous with glamorous, sensual, and vibrant high-fashion imagery that blends luxury, personality, and emotional resonance.
Core Characteristics
Glamour and Luxury: His images exude refinement, elegance, and sophistication, often evoking a sense of opulence and hedonism. He elevates fashion photography toward art while remaining commercial and accessible.
Vibrant Colors and Bold Compositions: Testino favors vivid, lively color palettes with strong contrast and saturation. His compositions are dynamic yet balanced, frequently using playful elements, movement, and a keen eye for detail.
Natural Light Mastery: He excels at using natural (often diffused) light to create warmth, depth, and flattering effects. This gives images a soft yet luminous quality, sometimes enhanced with backlighting.
Connection with Subjects: A hallmark is his ability to build rapport, capturing authentic personality, spontaneity, and intimacy rather than stiff poses. This makes subjects appear confident, sensual, and alive—whether supermodels, celebrities, or ordinary people.
Techniques and Approach:
Testino works across color and black & white, studio and location, and various lighting setups (natural, flash, or minimal). He emphasizes variation and avoids overly “tormented” or contrived concepts, preferring images that feel attractive through beauty, emotion, and immediacy.
He draws from compositional rules (e.g., rule of thirds, depth of field) but prioritizes storytelling and emotional authenticity over rigid technique. His work often blurs fashion with portraiture and cultural documentation.
Influences and Evolution
Cultural Roots: Born in Lima, Peru (1954), Testino draws from his Latin American heritage—vibrant colors, textures, rituals, and sensuality—infused with summers in Brazil and his move to London in the 1970s. This creates a mix of tradition, modernity, and gender fluidity.
Early Influences: Cecil Beaton shaped his early portrait work. He started with simple daylight experiments, manipulating light creatively before professional tools.
Evolution: From 1990s supermodel-era glamour (e.g., iconic Gucci and Burberry campaigns) to more stripped-back, natural, or culturally rich series. His male portraits (as in the book SIR) explore masculinity through dandyism, machismo, tradition, and playfulness.
Notable Themes and Projects
Fashion Campaigns: Worked with Gucci, Versace, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana—known for sexy-yet-refined, high-energy visuals.
Celebrity Portraits: Intimate yet iconic shots of Kate Moss (natural and authentic), Princess Diana, Brad Pitt, David Bowie, and others.
Personal/Cultural Work: Series like Alta Moda (Peruvian traditions), A Beautiful World (global cultures), and explorations of masculinity in SIR.
Overall, Testino’s style is polished yet energetic, sensual without being overt, and deeply human. He captures not just clothes or faces but allure, personality, and cultural moments—making him one of the most influential fashion photographers of the past few decades. His images feel luxurious and alive, often redefining how we see beauty and gender in visual culture.
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