Mario Testino at Home.

Straw mats from Marrakesh, pottery from Peru, Proenza raffia dress on the model. 

Oh boy… The LA home of photographer Mario Testino appeared in the March issue of Vogue. Guess who shot it? Oh yea, Mario Testino. Guess who decorated it? OH YEA, MARIO TESTINO!!! Man is photographic genius. Man decorates house. Man collects art. Man styles model. Man photographs home. This is the kind of photo shoot I dream about… the layers upon layers of artistic expression expressed is just amazing. Its ONE person’s artistic vision. Soup to nuts. And its freakin fabulous.

Mario is Peruvian, and his look is definitely informed by his heritage. Think Incan artifacts, a dash of colonial influence and heavy Spanish-inspired furniture juxtaposed with mid-century sleekness. Of that he says “I had the right amount of detachment to go back and really appreciate what I had grown up with. There’s a particular style that is very Peru that you don’t see anywhere else; it’s got so many different imprints. When you mix Incan minimalism with the heavy, ornate Spanish Baroque, it is very interesting.” Agreed.

The man shops and collects things from all over the world. And apparently, he ALWAYS decorates his own homes. He’s decorated homes in London and Paris in tons of colors and styles, although his friends laughed at him at first! This is his only home with white walls. He began collecting art 15 years ago “The art came at a very interesting time in my career because I needed to be excited by something other than fashion,” says Testino. “It showed me that these artists had a certain freedom—it opened a lot of possibilities in my own work. Fine artists reflect and then they act. Fashion photographers—we act and then we reflect.”

Enjoy!

Rob Pruitt’s Moonlight Bamboo I, leather colonial wooden bench from Peru. Marni top and skirt, Prada flame wedges. My god. 

Rachel Feinstein’s mirrored Marie with Fan(2006), Hispano-Moresque furniture, Clothing by Etro.

Cushions are upholstered in hand-woven Peruvian ponchos. Clothing by Carolina Herrera. 

Clothes by Balenciaga

Dior on model.

Gerald Davis’s painting. Alberta Ferretti beaded silk-tulle dress.

Cushions found in Ibiza, Donna Karan New York clothing. 

The photographer and model. 

The article is a fantastic read. Check it out HERE.

All photos and quotes via Vogue.