Young model strikes a pose around the globe
Tomas Gesualdi models denim in an exterior shoot. • Photos Submitted
By Tom Victoria
Tomas Gesualdi stands out in a crowd. For the 21-year-old Argentinian, that trait allows him to travel the world as a fashion model.
“The modeling is freedom for me,” he said.
Tomas explained modeling agencies send him on assignments to such locales as Hong Kong and Singapore, paying the expenses for the trips, which include stretches of free time to explore foreign cultures.
Although Tomas has been as far as China and Indonesia, he favors the state in America used frequently as the setting for such television shows as Miami Vice and CSI Miami.
“My favorite place in the world is, by far, Miami,” Tomas said. “I would love to be back there.”
Being a model, he seems like a good fit with the flashy characters sharing scenes with the aforementioned shows’ lead cops Sonny Crockett and Horatio Caine. But the appeal for Tomas is the real Miami and its actual denizens.
Tomas sports a red hat for this shoot.
“The beach mostly and also the amazing vibes that the people have there,” he said.
Tomas added he also appreciates the knowledge gained from travel and the fancier aspects of exotic locales.
He already attained one of his goals, being signed by an American modeling agency.
“I’m very proud,” Tomas said. “My dream was to sign with an agency in the USA.”
Among his personal trips was to New York’s Times Square.
He said there aren’t good paying modeling jobs in Argentina, so working abroad is nothing but advantageous. Not that models don’t have to be wary of any jobs that veer off the agreed upon assignment or pay.
“They try to take advantage of you,” Tomas said. “You have your eyes open.”
To model, he drew upon naturally good looks, but worked to develop the physique. As a youth, he decided to not remain lean.
Tomas Gesualdi travels the world as a fashion model.
“I started working out at 14 years old,” Tomas said. “I never quit.”
He credits fitness as leading to the path of success.
“I would not be what I am today,” Tomas said. “I can say that the gym changed my mindset and my life.”
Tomas became a model at 18. His sister’s friend urged him to reach out to agencies. He was swayed enough to contact two. One hired him the same day.
Before long, Tomas was sent overseas.
“It blew my mind,” he said about being hired and exposed to the wide world.
Tomas made his first trip to China.
“It was very fun,” he said.
But Tomas was taken aback by the lack of manners by Chinese in public. He witnessed some people spitting on the floor while riding the subway and belching in others’ faces. Tomas discovered another uncouth habit: slurping liquids like soup.
“It’s disgusting,” he said.
But to Tomas’ greater shock, this practice is not done with impunity.
“It means the food is good,” he said.
Tomas explained when diners do not make noise eating, they are indicating the food is less than appetizing.
He also did not see any people representing a middle class in China, just rich and poor.
Tomas was awed by Singapore, citing it as a beautiful locale.
“It’s an amazing place,” he said.
Tomas works with a variety of photographers with different styles.
Most of Tomas’ modeling is done in studios, but there are outdoor shoots at beaches or in urban surroundings.
“They take you to the highest place in the city,” he said.
At times, Tomas has to drop what he’s doing to hit another spot in a country for a hastily scheduled shoot.
He also has traveled to Europe, Cuba and Mexico.
Although Tomas is a native of Argentina and speaks Spanish, his surname is distinctly Italian. Akin to America’s Melting Pot, Argentina received immigrants from continents such as Europe.
Tomas said Argentinian citizens descended from those people coming from other countries. But some aspects of those cultures, such as native tongues, were not retained.
“No one can speak another language,” he said.
Almost no one as Tomas speaks English as well as Spanish.
Tomas models a variety of different clothing brands on his assignments.
Due to the massive impact on events and businesses from government-mandated responses to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, modeling assignments temporarily dried up last year. Tomas worked at the family businesses during the dry spell.
He said many people in his country have to pinch their pennies to get by with some earning only $250 for an entire month with expenses such as $100 for rent and wage taxes assessed as high as 40 percent.
Tomas typically earns 50 percent of the earning from a modeling assignment with the agency retaining the other half, but it varies by country.
He said people have to learn how to stay motivated as there will be good and bad days.
“It’s life,” Tomas said.
He said the key is learning how to deal with adversity is by realizing everything will be okay.
“I know how to manage it,” Tomas said. “It’s discipline.”
He encouraged those considering modeling to pursue it.
“If you don’t try, you will never know.”
The link to Tomas' Instagram account is: https://www.instagram.com/tomh.gee/?hl=en