“I hope I don’t look too cute”

Tommy taught me how to run slow. This is not an insult to Tommy’s running abilities. He’s undoubtedly a faster runner than I am, but looking at his runs on Strava, it’s never about the speed.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of running as a sport. I’m not built for it, really. But when I do get into decent running shape, I run as fast as I can, just to get it over with. But what this does, is it causes me to look back on the completed run with a “well that sucked” review. What I did not know until I tried it, was that running slower would leave me with a “well that wasn’t that bad at all” review, meaning I will likely run again today, instead of avoiding the “suck”.

So now I run slower. And I run more often (usually.) Ok that’ll do it on the running topic.

Maybe you read my Context about Brice. (?!). Tommy and Brice work together, and when I’m in Paris for Paris Fashion Week, I see Tommy. Usually, it’s for one of the ever-growing group-runs that Satisfy does. What used to be a small group of 10 or so friends of the brand, has now become a mass of people reaching into the triple digits. So instead of trying to find Tommy in the crowd he has invited…I ask to be invited to his home in Pantin.

In the morning, I run with Tommy at the seasonal Satisfy Wake-Up Run. I go home and shower and meet him back at the office and follow him back to Pantin on my bike while I photograph him running through the snow along the Canal Saint Martin until we pass under the Périphérique, and it changes names to Canal de l’Ourcq.

Up the stairs of a stereotypical building, we enter a smallish but beautifully decorated apartment. Tommy’s space is minimal. There are only three things which are abundant here: Records, vintage band T shirts, and fruit preserves.

Tommy offers me a coffee (or tea, I can’t recall) and serves it to me in a cup which he places on a fabric swatch which, I’m informed, is a clipping from the draping of the Arc de Triomphe by Cristo and Jeanne-Claude.

I’m offered music. I accept the music. Tommy sits on the floor and flips through records, selecting one and showing it to me. He plays the record, and I rudely talk over it. I’ve never heard the album before, yet he says it’s one of his favorites. I add it on Spotify shortly after I leave his home. Not vinyl.

Tommy is just a sweetheart. He speaks to you like he cares. I do think he does in fact care, however, which in the fashion-leaning ecosystem is not a common thing. When I look back at our messages back and forth, even though there is a disproportionate amount of unsolicited discount-code requests from me, Tommy ALWAYS replies kindly, helpfully, and as a friend.

Tommy is 38 now. These photos are not new, and I had hoped to go climbing with him while in Paris, but my stupid schedule did not allow for it. I kept delaying posting this in hopes that I would find the time to photograph him more. But here we are, the better part of a year later, and I’m showing you what 37-year-old Tommy Hubert looked like.

The running community is a very cool place. It’s not like cycling. At least not in my experience. In cycling, you are always trying to “put the hurt” on your buddies in a ride. Running is more friendly. Perhaps it’s because you can’t buy speed as a runner as you can as a cyclist. You can wear head to toe Satisfy, but it won’t make you faster. But turning up to a run with a group of strangers, no one is left behind. Tommy could easily drop me on a run, but that’s not the vibe.

Tommy’s vibe, from my perspective, is to enjoy. Not just running. But living. Whether it’s through sport, music, nature, or other people. Tommy always seems to enjoy himself when I see him. And when I find myself in a bad mood at FW, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay that way when you cross paths with Tommy.

In June I went to an event in the Marais. I was grumpy/upset/angry. I saw Tommy with a mutual friend (Gabriele), and he said something along the lines of “I’m always happy when I see you.” Which, although was frustrating to me at the time as it snapped me out of my stupid mood, was pretty damned cute.

Sorry if I made you look “too cute”, Tommy. I hope your mom likes this post.

Thanks, Tommy.