Thirteen years to the date that she passed, yet these images remain timeless, suspended. Portraits of a radiant beauty- perfect in her imperfections. I always felt these images taken by Mario Testino, captured the truly human side of Diana - luminous and effervescent, able to light up the room with a flash of her dazzling smile, yet deeply vulnerable, quiet and contemplative. Her sons were said to have described the photos as the most 'like her' that they'd seen. Mario describes her on that day as being "so happy and fresh and sure of herself. It was just laughter and laughter and and laughter and laughter...".
Diana - always a heroine of mine for her elegant spirit, her grace under pressure and her deep kindness and desire to help others.
{All photos by Mario Testino, taken at Kensington Palace, Vanity Fair July 1997}
19 comments:
So beautiful! I remember the day, my mom was crying, she loved her.
Velvet Cupcakes
I still remember that day...Those are such a stunning photos...Kisses,sweetie
Wow. Just wow. These gorgeous photos speak volumes about the simple elegance and beauty of Diana...and the incredible talent of Testino, who can capture people so well in his photographs.
Simply gorgeous!
Her best photo shoot, ever. I remember the Vanity Fair with these shots; radiant.
Thanks for the tribute.
Totally agree. These photos of Diana were and still are gorgeous. Can hardlly believe it was 13 years ago.
Her most beautiful photos ever!
She was absolutely timeless. A classic beauty.
Oh i remember the day too. So vivid.
I have that Vanity Fair magazine with his pictures in still. She died the August after my mum. People said they were very alike. In looks. She reminds me of my mum now too.
it still shocks me that she died... she was such a beautiful woman who tried really hard to help people...
Diana was so beautiful, these shots are amazing. May she rest in peace xx
OMG I still remember the feeling in London when she died. You could hear a pin drop!
And the scent of the flowers around Harrods and in Kensington Gardens.. People took days off work to guard and tend to the flowers that welled in. It was surreal.
She was a stunning person. Inside out. Unhappy and broken by the cruelty of the Royal life and expectations, but such a role model to all!
I only saw her once in real life, and her charisma radiated from her where ever she went.
Mario has a way with the camera. Love his work!
This shoot was for Vanity Fair, wasn't it? Loved that cover by him!!
x Charlotta
Charlotta - yes she certainly did indeed! I met her once briefly in Zimbabwe and was so drawn to her gracefulness, her direct eye contact (with those stunning cornflower blue eyes!) and that radiant charisma!
Mario certainly has a way with the camera - on capturing light and small nuances but also with his subjects. He seems to be able to coax them out of the discomfort of being behind a lens and reveal little glimpses inside themselves.
she was just stunning wasn't she. i still remember the day i watched her get married and i remember the day she died like it was yesterday. thank you for sharing these. beautiful!
He is my favorite photographer!!! :) GENIUS!!!
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
wow. loved her. wow.
I'll never forget the day...I can picture where Iwas at the moment I found out she'd died. I had paper dolls of her wedding as a child! These pictures tear down the status walls. It is as if she is a neighbour over for a cup of tea!
I'll never forget the day...I can picture where Iwas at the moment I found out she'd died. I had paper dolls of her wedding as a child! These pictures tear down the status walls. It is as if she is a neighbour over for a cup of tea!
What a beauty. Mario Testino takes such exquisite photos. Love.
These photos always bring me back...he captured all that her life was in these beautiful memorials of her. She bravely stepped out of the royal mold to become her own fully realized person. Her bravery to expose all of her self, perfect and imperfect, is an inspiration for us all.