July doesn’t fade quietly, it burns brighter before it disappears.
Closing the month with the kind of energy that lingers long after sunset, Tommaso Crotti steps into Vanity Teen’s July Digital Cover as fashion’s newest heatwave. Equal parts instinct and intention, he belongs to a generation that’s less interested in fitting into an industry than reshaping it from the inside. One moment he’s lost inside a cinematic fantasy, the next he’s chasing silence in the mountains, always moving between raw emotion and effortless cool.
Fresh from a string of luxury campaigns and building a career on authenticity rather than noise, Crotti brings something increasingly rare to fashion: presence. No performance, no overthinking: just a magnetic honesty that slips naturally between tradition and the future.
As July reaches its final breath, Vanity Teen captures a face that feels less like the end of a season and more like the beginning of something impossible to ignore.
Your face can switch from classic Italian cinema to futuristic fashion in a second. Which version of yourself feels the most real when the camera finally clicks?
My inner world allows me to transform, even physically. I immerse myself in the character, holding onto both my happiest memories and my deepest traumas, and I use them as my strength. I like to become a mix of tradition and the future, while always staying true to my roots and to the creative direction of the shoot.
If your life right now were directed by Luca Guadagnino, scored by Charli XCX, and styled with an unlimited fashion archive, what would the opening scene look like?
Picture a cinematic Guadagnino shot sweeping across the architectural chaos of La Scarzuola in Italy, perfectly synced to the heavy, glitchy energy of Charli XCX’s BRAT. Right in the middle of this wild, sun-soaked stone labyrinth, I’m sitting completely still, wearing a vintage Yves Saint Laurent look: a super-tight sheer jersey top, tailored brown trousers, and dark sunglasses. I’m staring into space, completely unfazed by the pounding bass around me. It’s that effortless mix of cold sophistication and raw humanity dropped into the warm, surreal energy of nature and city life colliding.
Fashion loves perfection, but the most memorable people usually have something slightly weird about them. What’s one trait, obsession, or habit you’d never edit out of yourself?
Right now, my biggest obsession is spending time in the mountains and playing sports. This industry is incredible—you meet amazing people and you’re constantly surrounded by energy. But if you always want to give your best, you also need moments of silence to recharge. I love disappearing into quiet places where I can switch off for a while. Just for a little while, though. At heart, I’m an incredibly social person who’s constantly trying to find the balance between my wild side and my calmer one.
Imagine you have 24 hours in Paris with no castings, no phone notifications, and no expectations. Where do we find you, and what’s the soundtrack playing in your headphones?
Breakfast at HollyBelly. Lunch at Le Ju’. Then I’d probably end the day at Silencio. As for the soundtrack… honestly, it changes every day. It depends entirely on my mood.
What’s the most unexpected thing modeling has taught you about confidence? Has it changed the way you see yourself when nobody else is looking?
The most unexpected thing modeling has taught me is to be completely and unapologetically myself, no matter what room I walk into. People think this industry is all about constantly changing to fit a brand or a photographer’s vision. But every time I tried to force a version of myself that wasn’t real, it never worked. It always felt fake. I realized that my own energy is enough. You can dress me however you want or place me in the craziest situation, but the attitude has to remain mine.
Gen Z is constantly balancing real life and the internet. Do you think your online self is an extension of who you are, or is it another character you’ve learned to play?
I honestly see social media as a space for expression and freedom. Most of the time, it’s part of my job, but there are definitely moments when it becomes a creative outlet or simply a way to let off steam. I’m working on building a bigger platform because I genuinely love connecting with people, and I love sharing my work with them.
Let’s play a quick one. Pick one and tell us why.
A runway in complete silence or one with a live punk band?
Definitely a runway with a live band. I want to feel the energy and get goosebumps every single time I walk.
Vintage Armani or futuristic Balenciaga?
Neither – I’d choose Jacquemus. I really admire everything Simon Porte Jacquemus has built, and his vision feels very close to my own sensibility.
Sunrise after an all-night adventure or a slow Sunday with no plans?
Sunrise after an all-night adventure. Those are the moments that usually turn into the best memories.
A disposable film camera or the latest iPhone?
A disposable camera, every time. The beauty of it is not knowing how the picture turned out. An iPhone makes you stop living the moment just to check the screen, while a disposable camera lets you capture it and keep going. You stay present.
Finally, write a short letter to your future self. What do you hope he never forgets, no matter where life, fashion, or success take him?
Dear future me,
Never stop being exactly who you are, even when life, work, or the people around you try to convince you to wear a mask. Hold on to your authenticity: it’s your greatest strength.
Love people with your whole heart. Never be afraid to tell the people who truly care about you how much they mean to you. Remember that you didn’t get here alone. The people who believed in you, supported you, and loved you are part of every achievement you’ll ever have.
And whatever happens, stay grateful, stay curious, and keep moving forward.
CREDITS
Talent: Tommaso Crotti at NUR Men
Photography: Giuseppe Attanasio
Styling: Jacopo Fiorentino
Cover Design: Davide Caruso
Grooming: Tomoko
Photo Assistant: Jules Golynski
Style Assistant: Joy Dabo