Trump Models

November 15, 2004

Polina Kuklina
with Jon Tutolo

If the future of modelling depended on the likes of Jon Tutolo, the industry would be in good hands.

Tutolo came to New York eight years ago from Dallas, looking to carve out a career as a wardrobe stylist. He had seen the end of the supermodel era and the "whole heroin chic thing." He watched the Brazilians and the Belgians, and immersed himself into New York's fashion mosaic to the point where he now claims fluency in the language of designers, stylists, magazines, photographers, and of course... models.

Today, remarkably, at the age of 29, Tutolo is one year into his position as the head of Trump Models. Boyish in both appearance and character, he isn't the person most would expect to lead Donald Trump's modelling agency. Far from the Apprentice-like qualities exhibited each week on the Don's top-rated TV show, Tutolo speaks about his absolute respect for colleagues' abilities. Rather than delivering hard, precise phrases, Tutolo speaks in paragraphs.

Although I didn't want the interview to focus on the association with Donald Trump, it was impossible to get an accurate picture of this five-year-old agency without exploring the relationship because, as Tutolo pointed out, it was the strength associated with the Trump name that gave the agency instant credibility. As Tutolo says "We're much more focused on modelling because we have a strong backer and don't have to worry about the bottom line at the end of the day. We can stay true to our vision."

Furthermore, as Tutolo points out, Donald Trump understands the fashion industry. Long before he started the agency he was a constant front-row fixture at Oscar De La Renta's, Marc Jacobs' and Michael Kors' shows. "He is involved in almost every aspect of what makes New York great and fashion is a big part of it. But as much as we don't tell him how to build buildings, he's very hands-off with the agency."

The first thing Tutolo did when he became president of the agency was to change the name from T Management, to Trump. "When you really understand the Trump name and the power that goes along with it, there's so much more to be gained by using the name rather than hiding behind it. And that's proven to be true."

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