Gemma Ward among top Aussie models captured by Mario Testino for Vogue Australia

WORLD renowned photographer Mario Testino has used his guest editorship of Australian Vogue to photograph some of our most famous modelling faces.

WORLD renowned photographer Mario Testino has used his guest editorship of Australian Vogue to photograph some of our most famous modelling faces.

Catherine McNeil, Jessica Hart, Gemma Ward, Jordan and Zac Stenmark and brother Louis Stenmark are just some of the local talent who star in the special Mario Testino Vogue Australia April issue.

International models Lara Stone and Stella Lucia will also feature in the collector’s edition.

Despite not having visited Australia before, Testino says he has been surrounded by Antipodeans throughout his career.

“I realised when I started doing this project that so many people I worked with are Australian,” he said, mentioning models Catherine McNeil and Gemma Ward.

Lara Stone, photographed by Mario Testino in Australia.

Testino also shot some stunning images of the Australian landscape and spoke of his connection with Australia, and in particular with Sydney.

“It’s very welcoming,” he said of the Harbour City. “I feel very awed that from the first visit I felt I knew it already or I belonged here.

“There is a sense of freedom and openness in Sydney” he added, “which made me realise that it was the quality I had also recognised in all the Australian friends I know. Perhaps it was this quality that had made them so successful internationally.”

Vogue Australia Editor Edwina McCann said the resulting shots gave her goosebumps.

Lara Stone and David Genat.

“Seeing our surroundings, our birdlife and fauna and some models we’ve worked with for many years through Mario’s fresh eyes reshaped my view of this place and its talent,” said McCann.

“Mario is a deep thinker and a very talented editor.”

Vogue Australia’s April issue is Testino’s tenth editorship, having guest edited Vogue Brazil, Japan, China, Germany and Spain.

Testino’s Vogue Australia is on sale from Monday March 21.

The cover of Vogue Australia’s Mario Testino edition.

Originally published as Gemma Ward among top Aussie models captured by Mario Testino for Vogue Australia