On June 18, 2010 in the fashionable capital of Italy - Milan - they were preparing for the start of the next Men's Fashion Week. Rehearsals of the shows and meetings of model houses took place as usual, when the tragic news came from the police: the model Tom Nikon had died. Young, talented, promising … At the age of 22, he achieved considerable success, and it seemed ahead that a long and happy life, full of new achievements, awaited him. But Tom chose to stay forever young.
Biography: short life and career
Despite the demand and lucrative contracts, Tom Nikon was not a cult figure in the fashion world. There are no big articles about him on the Internet or detailed interviews. Still, only a few are achieving world fame. It is still believed that the model is more of a female profession. Female fashion models are more popular, they have higher earnings. But modern men also want to dress stylishly in order to look dignified against the background of their companions. This means that men's fashion continues to develop.
Fashion model Tom Nikon was born on March 22, 1988 near the French city of Toulouse. He had a striking appearance, ideal for a modeling career: tall (188 cm), thick dark hair, piercing eyes from under the brows. Photographers and designers especially liked the childish, innocent face of the young man.
Tom's modeling career has been pursued by two Parisian agencies - Success and D. Men Agency . By the age of 22, he had accumulated an impressive portfolio, which featured the most famous fashion brands:
- Burberry;
- Hugo Boss;
- Louis Vuitton;
- Yves Saint Laurent;
- Moschino;
- Jean Paul Gaultier;
- Versace;
- Kenzo;
- Costume National;
- Gareth Pugh.
Nikon took part in fashion shows, advertising campaigns, photo sessions. He was invited to shoot in the magazines "Vogue" and "GQ". The biggest achievement of the model was the contract with the Burberry fashion house: he was made the face of the brand.
Burberry is a British fashion brand founded in the mid-19th century. It specializes in creating clothes for children and adults, produces shoes, accessories, and underwear. The brand also has its own cosmetic and perfume line. Many celebrities of the world of fashion and cinema have collaborated with the Burberry brand at different times:
- Kate Moss;
- Stella Tennat;
- Cara Delevingne;
- Eddie Redmayne;
- Sienna Miller;
- Emma Watson;
- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Tom Nikon represented the Burberry Brit line of accessories, clothing for women and men, made in casual style. Tom replaced his older colleague, American Cole More. The model at that time was 20 years old. Cooperation with him went to the benefit of the Burberry brand: with the advent of a new "face", sales volumes began to grow.
Tom Nikon's life was not limited to a modeling career. He is certified as a senior nutritionist. This profession involves the examination of food and ready-made food, the development of a balanced diet or diet according to the doctor's prescriptions, and the control over the observance of hygiene rules. In France, nutritionists work in hospitals, schools, catering establishments and even in agribusiness. With such an education, it's no surprise that Tom himself followed a healthy lifestyle.
In his work, he demonstrated stability and hard work. In communicating with colleagues, he was friendly and nice. The model Jethro Cave - the son of the singer Nick Cave - said that Tom seemed to him sweet, carefree, handsome. And no one could have thought that such a tragedy would happen to him.
Death and the reaction of the fashion world
The traditional Men's Fashion Week began on June 19, 2010 in Milan. Preparations were in full swing. Tom was to participate in the shows of Versace, Costume National, Burberry. On the eve, at the morning rehearsal of the Versace brand, he was last seen alive. Later, designer Donatella Versace admitted that she did not notice anything unusual in the young man's behavior. He seemed to her only a little quieter than usual.
On the same day, all the models participating in the Versace show were to get together once again at a meeting of the fashion house. However, Tom did not come to the meeting. On the afternoon of June 18, the police found the body of a model under the windows of a house in Milan, where he lived with friends. The investigation showed that Nikon took his own life by jumping from the fourth floor.
In his entourage, the police were told that the reason for such an act could be the drama in the model's personal life. He was depressed after breaking up with his Italian sweetheart.
The reaction of famous representatives of the fashion world immediately followed. Donatella Versace admitted that she was upset and shocked by Tom's death. Giorgio Armani, having learned about the possible causes of suicide, philosophically remarked: “This world is too closely connected with young people, and it seems that life ends at 22 years old. We need young people to understand that life is beautiful even from the age of 23. There will always be disappointments, including in love, but they must be dealt with without tragedy."
Tom's colleagues expressed doubts about the relationship between his suicide and career difficulties. "A lot of people take their own lives," said one of the models, "but if it happens to one of us, it gets more attention."
Despite the wide public response, it was decided not to cancel the Haute Couture Week. It started on time and was dedicated to Tom Nikon. An entry in memory of the model appeared on the official website of his modeling agency: “Tom was a friend to all of us, always such a special, brilliant, excellent model and a wonderful person. May he rest in peace."
Suicide in the fashion world
Numerous European publications have written about the tragedy of the young fashion model. The increased interest was due not so much to Tom's fame as to the frightening tendency of suicides occurring in the modeling business.
Journalists remembered the names of those who a little earlier also made this fatal step or were close to it. In 2008, Russian fashion model Ruslana Korshunova threw herself out of the window of an apartment in Manhattan. In 2009, Korean model Kim Da Ul committed suicide in Paris. American Ambrose Olsen - the star of the Armani brand - hanged himself in his apartment in New York three months before Nikon's suicide. French beauty Noémie Lenoir on May 9, 2010 tried to commit suicide by taking a lethal dose of alcohol and drugs, but miraculously survived.
A series of model suicides has once again drawn the public's attention to the psychological costs of this business. On one of the forums, an anonymous source noticed that behind a beautiful picture of a prestigious and monetary profession lies the fear and uncertainty of models in the future. Competition, rejection, inevitable maturation, rigid beauty standards make the models constantly under stress. The career of models goes in the pursuit of fame and desperate attempts to keep it at any cost. Sometimes, at the cost of your own life.
