Found hulking a forklift in an Oxford airplane hangar at just 16 years old, Kit Butler’s model origin story reads like modern fashion folklore, the type of dreamy pluck from obscurity that can recalibrate your life in the split second between a casting call and the staccato flash of a DSLR. But what followed was not fleeting: over the last decade, Butler has walked upward of 170 runways, fronted more than 100 global campaigns, and appeared on over 30 magazine covers, his handsomeness now a habitual highlight across Paris, Milan, London, and New York fashion weeks. In 2023, he was coronated Model of the Year, a trophy well-earned for his ability to sell fashionphilic men a spectrum of fantasies—Donatella’s maximalist Versace, Demna’s provocative Balenciaga, Daniel Lee’s debonair Burberry, to name a few.

Yet it is Butler’s humility that’s kept him in the center of the fashion ring. Raised in rural Oxfordshire, he hustles with humility in an otherwise rarefied world, bringing a real sense of humanity to an ecosystem rife with falseness. And even with all his accolades, Butler remains determined to outdo himself. “There’s always room for improvement,” muses the model, who just acted alongside Vincent Cassel on KidSuper’s Paris runway and moved to New York City with plans to write a book. Clearly, he’s got the hunger required to fork-lift him to super status.

DYLAN KELLY: You were discovered at 16 years old, while working with your uncle in an airplane hangar in Oxford. Now, with over a decade of success under your belt in this industry, what’s one message you wish you could deliver to that sprightly teenager?

KIT BUTLER: I’d tell him that consistency matters more than momentum. Just keep doing what you’re doing.

DK: You’ve mused for practically every luxury house in fashion. You’ve won Model of the Year. You’ve appeared on over 30 magazine covers, starred in more than 100 campaigns, and walked almost 200 runways. What is it that makes you so ambitious?

KB: Ambition, for me, isn’t about accumulation; it’s about refinement. Every season, I’m trying to better myself and work more closely with designers who genuinely interest me, as well as houses I haven’t worked with before. Becoming a better version of yesterday’s self is my mantra; there’s always room for improvement.

DK: In an industry that’s always seeking something new, what do you think is your staying power?

KB: Without a doubt, it’s the people I’ve worked with and continue to work with. They’re the ones who’ve kept me in this industry, who’ve been loyal to me, and who’ve taught me everything I know.

DK: Having worn some of the most coveted designs on the runway, who do you think is making the best fashion right now, and why?

KB: I really enjoy working with British houses like Dunhill, and I love what Jonathan Anderson is doing at Dior. I’m also excited to see what comes next at Gucci… Demna has really pushed me and put me in some daring looks, so who knows what’s next. And I’m still hoping we see menswear at Chanel, I think it’s about time, don’t you?

DK: What is the most rewarding part of modeling?

KB: Modeling has allowed me to meet the very best in the field from all over the world, and that never stops. There’s always new talent emerging, new designers, photographers, stylists. It’s an ever-evolving industry, and that’s one of the things I love most about it.

DK: What’s something modeling has taken from you?

KB: I’m always on the go. Sometimes I miss special moments – birthdays, weddings, get-togethers – and even the mundane everyday ones. There are definitely times when I miss spending time with friends and family. It’s a balance that can be tricky to master, but I’m getting there… slowly.

DK: The world knows you as Kit Butler, the darling model, but you like to consider yourself “Kit from Oxford,” a regular guy who enjoys rock climbing, martial arts, and keeping up with his mates. What’s one thing about your humble hometown identity that the world would be surprised to know?

KB: The fashion world can feel very jet-set and flashy, but I actually come from a farming background, turkeys, to be exact. I also speak fluent Italian, which is fairly rare for a Brit these days. It’s something I like to keep up my sleeve.

DK: Kit from Oxford also loves a good book. What’s something you’ve read recently that’s worth noting?

KB: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. It might sound heavy, but I thoroughly recommend it.

DK: You’ve mentioned before that you’d like to write a book with your brother. What topic would put your pen to paper?

KB: That’s a secret for now. I’d love to give you a teaser, but honestly, it’s not ready yet. If and when that day comes it’s going to be interesting. Watch this space.

DK: What are you hoping to see this year?

KB: Something completely unrelated to fashion, if I’m honest Rio Carnival, or the sunrise from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. I love to travel and properly switch off whenever I can. Not something I can do often but when I do, it’s magical.

DK: What can we expect to see from you this year?

KB: Some really exciting things are coming. I wish I could say more but stay tuned, and you’ll see.

DK: What has already surprised you this year?

KB: That I’ve finally decided to move to New York City. It’s been a long time coming, but it feels like the right moment. I can’t wait.

This cover story appears in the pages of VMAN 56: hitting global newsstands starting March 16, 2026!

Photography Luigi & Iango

Fashion Alexander Roth

Model Kit Butler (Soul Artist Management)

Creative Director / Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan

Interview Dylan Kelly

Makeup Georgi Sandev (Forward Artists)

Hair Sasha Nesterchuk

Editor Kev Ponce

Fashion Market Editor Copelyn Bengel

Photo Assistants Francisco Betancourt

Styling Assistants Dylan Gue, Carter Bright

Cinematographer Santiago Montes