How Skateboarder Hugo Villanova Made His Way to the Runway
The recent men’s fashion weeks highlighted a fair share of new faces, but few proved as compelling as Hugo Villanova. With blond curls, full lips, and graceful features, Villanova represents an idealized male beauty, one that designers have found irresistible. The newcomer made appearances at Public School, Dior Homme, Valentino, Tim Coppens, and Dries Van Noten, making him one of the industry’s most in-demand faces, a fact he finds surprising. “It’s unusual to find myself in this position,” Villanova tells Style.com. “I never thought of myself as a model, but getting to be a part of this [business] has been great so far.”
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Approached by scouts while visiting China with his family six months ago, the French face decided to try modeling because of the prospect of travel. At the time he was scouted, his interests lay more with skateboarding than catwalking. Back home in Bordeaux, Villanova and his friends documented their visits to skate parks, practicing tricks and uploading their best takes to social media. These days he finds time to mix work and play, posting clips of his skateboarding to Instagram as he travels the world modeling. “I love anything physical,” he confesses. “Skateboarding, biking—as long as I’m moving, I’m happy.”
Modeling has provided Villanova with one very big move, taking him from France to New York, where he temporarily relocated for work. With clients vying for his attention—he’s already shot several editorials in the short time he’s been in the city—he hopes to make the most of his new home. “I love that you can do everything here. I’m still exploring, still trying to learn all I can about fashion and New York.”
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