Product Description

Diana, Princess of Wales at her most beautiful: the last portrait session by Mario Testino. Just five months before her tragic death in August 1997, Princess Diana was photographed by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair. Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace brings together the most beautiful images from this last portrait sitting, displaying Diana in a state of relaxation and intimacy unlike any other. The selection of about seventy photographs includes many unseen images which, alongside previously published images, fill in the untold story of the shoot. Features include * Foreword by Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair * Introduction by Meredith Etherington-Smith, who played a major role in arranging the sitting in 1997 * Interview with Mario Testino conducted by Hamish Bowles

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #277166 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Original language: English, German, French
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 136 pages

From the Publisher
Candid, tender, poignant, provocative–the photographs by Mario Testino in Diana, Princess of Wales at Kensington Palace allow readers an entree into the private world of a beloved icon where an uncensored view - of a woman who influenced the world - is on display. This book is being launched to coincide with an exhibition at Kensington Palace, opening in November 2005.

From the Author
Peruvian-born Mario Testino is currently based in London, though he travels extensively shooting for Vanity Fair, American, British, French and Italian Vogue and GQ. Other clients include Estee Lauder, Burberry & Versace. Galleries around the globe from Japan to Italy to the USA have featured his solo exhibitions and his work is held in collections of many institutions worldwide, including the National Portrait Gallery in London, V&A Museum in London and New York University. Mario is an Honorary Doctor of the University of the Arts London and has recently received the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award for his outstanding contribution to the world of fashion and entertainment.

Customer Reviews

Diana Fans Rejoice!
This is book of photos is well-put together, stylish and fun. Diana fans rejoice!

However, the blurry images may disturb some, like myself. It's a style of photography that may work well in fashion, but I prefer portraiture to have more in-focus images. I'm a bit of a photography buff, and understand the unconventional, shoot-from -the-hip, spontaneous kind of photography that these photos show, but since Diana is such an interesting and beautiful subject, I would liked to have seen more of the rest of her, not just closeups of her face, that were often blurry. But perhaps I am being overly picky. Otherwise, I did enjoy the relaxed, comfortable and upbeat mood of the pictures and yes, they are some of the best portraits of her.

These were not necessarily about the dresses that were going to be in the auction, but about Diana, and seeing her in a fresh light. Most striking were her eyes; they were so blue, so animated and full of vitality, things that had not been revealed in previous portraits. As a Diana fan, I am very pleased, despite the blurry images. This is a perfect addition to any fan's collection.

A Memento Of A An Event Not To Be Forgotten
The title of this book seems to have thrown some fans off. The title does not mean to imply that the photos were taken at Kensington Palace. The book was produced to go along with the exhibit of Mario Testino's portraits of Diana that are on display at Kensington Palace. Anyone who is lucky enough to visit Kensington Palace to see these magnificent photos while they are on exhibit will want to have a copy of this book to commemorate the event forever.

I had never been particularly fond of the Testino's protraits of Diana that I had seen until I saw them in person at Kensington. There the photos were so large that I could see every aspect of Diana's beauty. Testino was able to capture the real Diana in all her many moods in these photos also. Diana is captured in her playful mood, laughing and being silly, and then again, caught in a moment of quiet thought. There are many photos I had never seen before. Now these portraits are preserved forever in this wonderful book. I love the artistry of the blurred photos, the black and white and the color images. They all set a tone of their own. To not have this book if you loved Diana would be a shame. And, any portrait photographer could learn much from these images also. Testino is a genius at capturing so many unique views of the woman who had been photographed more than any other woman in history. I bought two copies of the book just in case something should happen to one.

Beautiful photography, not quite the book I'd hoped for
Taken at Kensington Palace a few months before the Princess died (I think before her famous dress sale)you'll find a series of beautiful photographs of the Princess, some in color- some black & white. She looks very happy and relaxed in every one of them, only a few are more than head and shoulder shots and no really formal poses.
Many of the photographs seem almost as if they were snapped on a whim they are so unposed looking. More than one of them will be seen to be somewhat blurred or not quite focused, maybe that's fashion style photography but it looks strange to me.
Don't skip over the introduction/ preface stuff (written in 3 languages) there are some pictures slipped in there too, not all in each version of the writing. At the back of the book there's a listing of each photo (with a mini example of it)telling who currently owns the dress and when it was originally worn. There's even one with Testino himself posing with the Princess.
I don't have much to complain about with this book, I'm glad I bought a copy, I just wish there were more photos, some more full length. I'd also like a clearer, less blurred look to some of the pictures.
This book is worth adding to your collection even if you aren't a Diana fan, it's got a lot of great photography in it.