Photographer Testino defends Kate Moss

Kate Moss has lost major modelling contracts after allegations of drug abuse surfaced. Picture / Herald file

Celebrity photographer Mario Testino has defended Kate Moss after she lost modelling contracts over allegations of cocaine abuse.

"I know Kate very well and I don't think she's at all tormented, torrid, depressed," he said.

"I have to say I'm not a witness to seeing her debauched or out of control. She's never not been there on a shoot, never said to me, 'I'm tired, I don't want to work', never."


"She works from eight in the morning till 12 at night if need be," Testino told BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs.


Pictures of Moss, 31, allegedly snorting cocaine were published in the Daily Mirror in September, leading retailer Burberry and Swedish-based fashion house Hennes and Mauritz to sever ties with one of the most famous faces in fashion.


France's Chanel said it would not renew her contract.


Testino criticised those who were quick to judge Moss.


"Who knows? Maybe that was her moment and we just happened to see that moment and all of a sudden we're judging out of ten minutes the life of somebody and destroying it. I don't think life is so black and white."


Testino is famous in his own right for his portraits of the late Princess Diana, Madonna and Elizabeth Hurley.


But he has declared Moss his favourite subject, once devoting a whole room to photos of her at an exhibition of his work in 2002.


Moss, whose annual earnings from modelling are estimated to be in excess of £4m ($NZ10.10m), apologised last month to friends, family and associates for her behaviour.


Other stars who have publicly defended Moss since the drug allegations broke include Danish supermodel Helena Christensen and American actress Sharon Stone.


- REUTERS