PHOTOS: Super Mario (Testino)

The mid '80s may not seem like that long ago, but when chronicling the public image of men -- something that has changed dramatically even in the last five years -- it sometimes seems like another era entirely.

Josh Hartnett, New York, VMAN, 2005 (Copyright (c) Mario Testino)

"The way men are seen in photography, in fashion, and the way men look at pictures of themselves has changed in recent years," says Testino. "It is a subject that has come into focus: The masculine image, a man's personal style, changing attitudes to the male face and body."

Testino, who has created iconic photos for the likes of Vanity Fair and Vogue, is using SIR, his most ambitious book to date, to trace the evolution of male identity.

David Beckham & Orlando Bloom, Milan, 2009 (Copyright (c) Mario Testino)

The 456-page book gathers more than 300 photographs exploring the impact of gender play, portraiture, photojournalism, and fashion on the male image.

Featured celebrities include Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Jude Law, and Colin Firth -- all men who, at one point, were be considered at the epitome of masculinity. Others like David Beckham, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards have helped redefine male identity by daring to behave differently, and inspired men to embrace their feminine side.

Carlos Bokelman, London, V Magazine, 2000 (Copyright (c) Mario Testino)

SIR is published as a collectible coffee table book by Taschen. It features an essay by journalist Pierre Borhan and an interview with Patrick Kinmonth, Testino's longtime collaborator.

Mario Testino SIR, $700, available at Taschen.com
For further information visit MarioTestino.com