Mario Testino x Net-a-Porter for MATE Collection

Top fashion photographer and founder of MATE Asociación, Mario Testino collaborates with the online retailer NET-A-PORTER to create a 40-piece limited-edition collection of clothing, jewelry, and bags.

Testino’s latest photographic exhibition, “Alta Moda,” was his inspiration depicting Peruvians wearing traditional attire. The prints on the clothes are abstract sections of these photos. Holli Rogers, NET-A-PORTER’s fashion director, said “We fell in love with Mario’s incredible book of photographs, and we knew that we had to collaborate with him somehow. Mario was extremely involved in the process and excited to delve into ready-to-wear. He chose all of the photographs [we] used and worked closely with our team to find manufactures in his native Peru.”

The limited-edition line will be available on NET-A-PORTER.com starting in June and will consist of caftans, T-shirts, clutches, jewelry designed by Erickson Beamon’s Vicki Beamon, and 17 vintage pieces that were handcrafted in Peru. “The vintage pieces were handmade by Marcelle Symons of One Vintage, and are reworked to include Peruvian fabric,” explained Rogers. Plus, 20 percent of net sale profits will go to MATE, a non-profit association established by Testino to support and promote the arts in his home country. And unlike the majority of NET-A-PORTER's high-end picks, these pieces are all accessibly priced: T-shirts are $210, caftans run $280, and clutches are tagged $150. “Essentially, these pieces are wearable art,” said Rogers. “We worked hard to make the price point accessible, and we can see them becoming iconic prints. They are the type of thing you’ll wear walking down the street and someone will ask, 'Is that a Mario Testino piece?'”