NATHAN HOPKINSON
VEST: STYLIST’S OWN, TROUSERS: BALLY, SUNGLASSES & JEWELLERY: MODEL’S OWN
NATHAN HOPKINSON
“BUSINESS WISE, I LISTEN TO PODCASTS DAILY. I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN, BUT YOU’VE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE.”
PRODUCED BY RHYS MARCUS JAY // PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOEL SMEDLEY
GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND AS TO WHO YOU ARE?
I’m Nathan Hopkinson. 23 year old Male Model from Manchester!
BEFORE MODELLING, WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSION?
Before modelling I played football. That was my profession and my first love. A part of my life I’ll never forget where I made so many memories. Met some of the most important people in my life, that I’ll always consider to be friends for life. I played for Manchester City from the age of 12 before moving to Stoke City at the age of 16. I made it to u21 level there. In my last year of playing I suffered with an injury that eventually got the better of me. The experience was unbelievable. Just wasn’t meant to be and I’ve been lucky enough to go straight into another career which I love.
WHEN YOU AREN’T MODELLING, WHAT DO YOU TEND TO DO?
When I’m not modelling I’m working on myself whether that’s creating content for Instagram, reading books (particularly on personal growth) or exercising. I spend a lot of time with my mum and my girlfriend. We go out for food and drinks occasionally or sit in and watch TV. Big one for us at the moment is Game if Thrones as I’m sure it is for most of the population!!
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE, ALONGSIDE MODELLING?
To be honest, right now I can’t quite put my finger on what I’d like to do alongside modelling. I really love fashion... It’s strange though. I feel like I genuinely don’t know that much about fashion compared to anyone who would consider themselves to be “into fashion”. I just know what looks good and how to style clothes. I want to learn so much more and be around even more people who are involved in it. I used to draw a lot when I was really young. I remember drawing a pair of jeans with my initials on the back pocket of them. But in the same way the New York Yankees crest is set up. Maybe I’ll go into designing clothes eventually?
Or potentially having my own clothing line?!
WHAT IS THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD, OR COULD TAKE YOU THERE?
I feel like modelling has given me an insight into the fashion industry. I’m around it day to day! I couldn’t be more grateful. Ultimately I think Instagram has been something I’ve used to put out to the world what I’m actually about. Especially in terms of my fashion sense. It’s already given me the opportunity to meet with and work with people who are in the area of fashion I’d like to be involved in. I’m looking to take it to the next level!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR MODELLING CAREER SO FAR?
I’d have to say the highlight of my modelling career so far would be working at Asos. It’s a client I’ve been wanting to work with from the start. Over 3 years ago I went to 5 castings. I managed to get booked by them towards the back end of last year. I was and still am buzzing as they’ve continued to book me pretty much every week since then. It’s somewhere I’d love to continue working, however I know how the industry works. It can be very cut throat at times so when it’s my time to move on, it’s my time to move on. It’s all good!
WHICH BRAND ARE YOU INTO AT THE MOMENT, AND WHY?
I’m actually massively into Ader Error at the moment. It’s a brand I noticed maybe 2 years ago! There’s not a single piece they produce that I wouldn’t wear myself. I love the whole vibe they have going on. Every aspect of it has this carefree feel to it, which I love. They’re very experimental in how they put the pieces together, where they shoot, how they put sets together to shoot on. No surprise to me at all that it’s a Korean brand. I NEED TO GO TO KOREA ASAP!!!
“I’ll be taking in information constantly. I’ll know when the time’s right to get the ball rolling but in the meantime, I just want to enjoy the process.”
— NATHAN HOPKINSON
WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR ADVICE, AS FAR AS BUSINESS, AND EVERYDAY LIFE? WHO’S YOUR COUNSEL?
Business wise, I listen to podcasts daily. I have a lot to learn, but you’ve got to start somewhere. I listen to Gary Vee every single day without fail. He motivates me and educates me. His content is so beneficial for me especially in the industry I’m in. Everyday life stuff I look to my closest friends, my girlfriend and my mum. I have good people around me.
Sunglasses: ASOS, Top: J Lindeberg, Belt: Balenciaga, Trousers: Levis
Shirt: The Kooples
WHAT ARE 3 WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE WHO YOU ARE TODAY, AND WHAT ARE THREE GOALS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 3 YEARS?
3 words that would describe me right now... It’s a tough one! I’d probably say - driven/open-minded/creative.
In the next 3 years I’d love to work/stay in many different parts of the world. I’d like to have more of an involvement in the design aspect of the fashion industry. And I’d hope to have began the foundations of a small business I can run alongside modelling. I’m undecided what the business will be but I know it will be centred around something I’m passionate about at the time.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS, WHICH YOU HAVE SET TO ACCOMPLISH IN 3 YEARS?
I plan to get my visa sorted ASAP. Once I do I’ll see when the best time for me to go to the states would be as I’ve recently signed with NEXT MIAMI. I’m really looking forward to working over there! Generally I’d love to travel more so I’ll look at getting away, just to see more of the world. The travelling may go hand in hand with my next goal through the people I’ll meet. The content I put out on my instagram in particular is giving me a push to naturally gravitate towards meeting more people in the fashion industry so I’ll see where that takes me. In terms of the business, I’m learning new things every day. I’ll keep reading, listening to podcasts, listening to people around me. I’ll be taking in information constantly. I’ll know when the time’s right to get the ball rolling but in the meantime I just want to enjoy the process.
FOLLOW NATHAN HOPKINSON ON INSTAGRAM
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