Diana: Princess of Wales [Hardcover]

Mario Testino (Photographer)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3822849308 | ISBN-13: 978-3822849309 | Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Just five months before her tragic death in August 1997, Diana Princess of Wales was photographed by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair. This book brings together the most beautiful images from this last portrait sitting. First serial to Vanity Fair.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822849308
• ISBN-13: 978-3822849309
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 10.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #820,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Royalty > Princess Diana

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Diana Fans Rejoice!, September 12, 2006

By 

N. Perry (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Diana: Princess of Wales (Hardcover)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diana at her absolute best!, August 7, 2006

By 

Donna Borok Moss (Marin County, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Diana: Princess of Wales (Hardcover)

If you only own one book about Princess Diana, this is the one to have! You can never get tired of looking at this book . . . her beauty, elegance, class and "playfulness" come right off the pages like no other book does. It's page after beautiful page of Diana - some photos just penetrate right through you. The book is touching and Diana looks relaxed and happy - as she deserved to be. It is my most favorite book about her (and I should know - I own over 200!)

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photography, not quite the book I'd hoped for, March 7, 2006

By 

A. Burchfield (Conway, Missouri USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Diana: Princess of Wales (Hardcover)

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.