Could you kindly introduce yourself to us?
Hey Fucking Young! My full name is Thomas Joseph Hutchinson, however many people know me as Tom Hutch, purely due to my Instagram profile name. I grew up in a town called Newbury, located in the U.K., before moving closer to London.
My journey began when I was still in secondary school. I was very active, playing all sorts of sports, including rugby, cycling, and swimming. I was in private education from a very young age, (maybe when I was about 7 years old) right until GCSE’s, where I moved to a larger school. At the time, I was studying biology, economics, and geography, however, the start of my career in the modeling industry meant I missed far more lessons than I should have. However, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Modeling has taken me to places I would have never been to, through which I met some incredible people that I would have never known unless I pursued it. So far, I’ve traveled all around the UK, Paris, Germany, and Spain, hoping to branch out even further in the near future. My key hope is that one day, I’ll be able to travel all over the globe, with friends that I’ve met in the industry, doing things I would have never had even dreamed about. My biggest personal achievement is traveling all over Europe for work, with incredible people. My first job saw me jetting off to Germany, which got me extremely excited for the future of my career.
Taking it back to the very beginning – how did it all start out for you?
On my 16th birthday, my mum planned a photoshoot in a local studio, more for her memories and photo books than for my benefit. Therefore, I reluctantly went and had some photos taken of me. The photographer who took the shoot recommended that my mother should have sent my photos off to agencies, however, this Idea was slept on for months, with the only thing coming out of the shoot being some embarrassing prints that mum urged to put all over the walls of the house. Finally, I posted these photos on Instagram, and several mother agents messaged me – such move marked the start of everything.
Three words that describe your best self are…
Confident, driven, and perfectionist.
Who’s been the best client to work with?
Haha, very tricky question. I’ve enjoyed working with everyone that I’ve shot with so far, with not one bad experience, so I honestly couldn’t say.
Favorite modeling experience so far?
Favorite modeling experience so far has got to be chilling on the roof of the PUMA headquarters in Germany, playing football with a bunch of new mates, while I knew it was raining in the U.K.
How’s it been for you since commencing?
I’m still meeting new people, working with new clients and having a good time with the work that I do. Since signing with NEVS, I’ve also joined several other agencies worldwide, signing contracts in London, Paris, Milan, and Amsterdam. Though sometimes, I’m not working as much as I’d like to, I’m still a baby in the industry, and have a long way to go!
Essentials to bring along your travels for a last-minute job are…
AirPods always – music is my biggest friend on the journey. Also, a charger, that saves me every time, but the amount of times I’ve forgotten it is unreal… maybe some mints too, I love mints.
As a greatly-esteemed model across social media, what are your thoughts in regard to the whole Instagram thing?
Instagram is a great platform, with huge scope to make a following for yourself, but I honestly don’t think it should be as important as it is. I probably don’t post as often as I should either, but that’s a “me” problem. I have plenty of loyal followers and many nice messages, however, there will always be a few nasty ones too, but you shouldn’t let it get to your head.
Do you feel empowered through your social media channels? If so/not, how come?
I love it and I hate it. With my main social media channel being Instagram, there is a pressure to always come across as your best self. It becomes a sort of image of you that is always accessible to everyone, which can be quite pressuring.
What do wish you could have done differently?
If I were going to go back in time, I’d probably concentrate more on my education and avoid missing as much school. However, if I didn’t put myself in the positions I have, I may not have been where I am in my career now.
Any major inspirations?
Addis Miller has to be one of my biggest inspirations in the industry, as I’ve known of him from the start of my career. His face is everywhere, travels all over the world with work, and looks like he has fun doing it. He’s a lovely guy too, we occasionally bump into each other in the agency!
Biggest remorse?
Not bringing a coat or jumper on the coldest shoot on planet earth.
What’s the wisest lesson you’ve learnt being in the industry?
Be yourself, stay true to you and don’t let anyone change that.
Any advice to give to the young wave of aspiring models?
Education remains imperative. Don’t stop doing what you’re doing, because you won’t be pretty all of your life. I’d always say to aspiring models, ‘work on yourself before you work’, keep your Instagram clean, presentable and professional as that is a big piece of your self-advertising. And above all, enjoy yourself and be nice to everyone: importance never justifies anything. Modeling and the industry aren’t for everyone, so be confident and know how to dwell criticism.