MADONNA, KATE MOSS AND A HOST OF STARS TOAST THE LAUNCH OF MARIO TESTINO'S NEW EXHIBITION

Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss – the guest list at the opening of celebrity photographer Mario Testino’s retrospective at the National Portrait Gallery in London reads like a who’s who of show biz. The biggest names from the worlds of film, music and fashion turned out for the show’s star-studded launch on Tuesday night.

Madonna – accompanied by husband Guy Ritchie and five-year-old daughter Lourdes –was the epitome of style in a £1,500 trouser suit by friend Stella McCartney. And little Lourdes showed she has her mum’s sartorial sense, wearing a miniature kilt by Burberry, who co-sponsored the event. Mario, the mind behind the cover of Madonna’s Ray Of Light album, is displaying a dozen portraits of the Queen of Pop alongside shots of the late Princess of Wales.

Madonna’s best bud Gwyneth Paltrow, who is also featured in the exhibition, had nothing but praise for the Peruvian-born photographer. Having jetted in from Paris just for the event, the Shakespeare In Love actress raved: “What I love about his pictures is that they’re always so fresh. I always feel when I look at his pictures that I’m being let in on something. When I shoot with him, I tell him to do whatever he wants. I trust him completely and always think he’s going to get something special.” And, she added, “He’s gifted and he’s cute.”

Kate Moss was one of the many A-listers from the fashion world that were on hand to fete the opening, drawing attention in a revealing £2,000 Balenciaga creation. An entire room in the exhibit is devoted to the supermodel, a favourite Mario muse. “She’s got that thirst for life that I so like,” he says. “I find her incredibly beautiful and she is so full of style.”

Also on hand to sip vintage Dom Perignon and admire the work of the 47-year-old photographer were Helena Christensen, Elizabeth Jagger, Jemima Khan, Salman Rushdie, Lady Helen Taylor, Natalie Imbruglia and Eva Herzigova.

Luminaries from the world of design seen perusing the show were Philip Treacy, Matthew Williamson, a raincoat-clad Stella McCartney and Gucci boss Tom Ford, whose portrait is featured in the installation. “I think this exhibition is great,” Tom told Fashion Wire Daily. “That’s not very original of me, but you know, at least I’m honest!”

Mario, who rose to fame after he took portraits of Princess Diana for Vanity Fair shortly before her death in 1997, recently photographed the Prince of Wales, and has shown an interest in capturing Queen Elizabeth II on film. “I’d love to do something for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee but she hasn’t asked me,” Mario asked one journalist at the opening. “Could you give her a call and ask her?”

The exhibition, co-sponsored by British Vogue, runs through June 4.

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