Louscious Feature - Interview with Benji Hart - Owner of THE.mgmt (Sydney, Australia)
Ladies and Gents, I´m so happy that this man said yes to answer some questions for me. Cause for me he´s such a big inspiration in every way and his answers are proving it even more how impressive and humble he is.
The great
Benji Hart - Owner of THE.mgmt (Sydney, Australia)
Instagram Personal: @the.benjihart
Instagram THE.mgmt: @the.mgmt
Website: www.themgmt.com.au
Introduce your self shortly. Tell us a bit about the agency.
My Name is Benji Hart. I am a 43-year-old Londoner living currently in Sydney as I have a beautiful Australian daughter.
I own a talent- and creative-production agency called THE.mgmt, which means 'THE beginning THE middle & THE end .
How long are you in the business?
I am in the business since I was 15, my first job was model in a SPICE GIRLS video [ LOL ]. I begged the owner of one of
London's top talent agencies to give me a job as an assistant, and in the first two weeks, I scouted a guy on the street
that shot VERSACE. From there, my career as an agent blew up. And by the time I was 17, I was running the division.
The '90s were very special in fashion, especially in London.
What was your motivation to start your own agency?
Moving to Australia, I noticed a big gap for something young, cool and in touch with a new digital age
while fusing model/celebrity and what is now called an influencer.
What inspires you?
History mixed with the youth of today.
I'm heavily influenced by vintage clothes, film, and art. But I LOVE watching kids and their new views and presentation.
Whose work has influenced you the most?
Honestly, that is hard as I said I love all things vintage, BUT I'd say, Lee McQueen, John Galliano, Amy Winehouse,
all period film/tv/music vids Peaky Blinders, Penny Dreadful, DUNKIRK, Alienist. Classic videos like Diamonds are a girl's best friend,
VOGUE, JUSTIFY MY LOVE - actually all early Madonna she really influenced everything kids see today.
What is the most challenging part of having a modeling/talent agency?
Right now, COVID, of course, is crippling the fashion/entertainment industry. As we really are unidentified, talent and managers left floating
but in very obvious view due to Instagram, etc. It's a strange time. I started a new initiative a few weeks back,
encouraging all my talent and associated with using the time as a luxury to get creative. Go back to your roots create, write, shoot -
have something to say on an internet full of rubbish! Be somebody, say something !!!!
How do you select your talents?
I have a tattoo on my chest for many years that reads, 'Intuition is my god '. That is how.
Are you looking for special types?
No, I like to back the talent that no one thinks about,'the underdog ', then feel great joy when they make it.
It's very rewarding, It's also a great test of building a successful brand.
What type of jobs are you booking for your talents?
PRINT CAMPAIGNS / EDITORIAL / TV / FILM / MUSIC … you name it we book it!
What do you like most about having an agency?
Every day I get to feel inspired, wake up, and do my dream job. Which is a luxury.
It is tough but rewarding. THE.mgmt team is everything, and they make my work special.
What was your biggest accomplishment with THE.mgmt?
Surviving in a world where businesses come and go. I think if you are dynamic, hard-working and authentic, you will never go out of fashion!
Pet Peeves
Lack of conviction, dishonesty. I got where I got from a lot of hard work, listening to my peers, and having a lot of conviction.
What is a big dream for you - career-wise?
I have been so lucky to live a lot of dreams, but I am setting up a foundation
to educate and develop young kids and creatives in film and fashion.
I write a lot of films with a collective, and we have three films in production. Using all unknown not formally trained actors/production and creatives.
Its going to be fantastic and I hope it grows so that we can fund and help lots of young creatives!
3 People you're dying to work with
Honestly, after working with Lee Mcqueen in the 2000's, I could die a happy man. But on a personal level, I'd love to explore more film.
I love Nolan and the actor Tom Hardy … Who doesn't LOL .
Did you ever think about quitting?
NEVER I don't believe in that. There are always new ways to grow.
How important is social media for your business?
Of course, it is SUPER important, but I have strong options , just because you have followers doesn't make you great.
I come from an old school generation that earnt their way to success and learned from their peers.
Kids just want fame .. I don't like this about social; it is destructive. It should be an educational /inspirational tool.
The real artists will always shine.
How has the fashion business influenced you as a person?
In every way, it gave me freedom from a very glum unhappy childhood, it was an escape mentally and in the end, physically.
You accidentally ate some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what's even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What's it gonna be?
Being old enough to wake up every day and be honest with myself and admit clearly what I want is a superpower
and I'm happy to have it. I listened to a great quote by SEVDILIZA, and it sums things up.
I am teaching you to be selfish
Let me repeat it, because the word "selfishness"
Has been condemned so much
That it is every possibility to misunderstand
But the word is really beautiful
To be selfish simply means to be yourself.
My daughter, my dog ….. and juding by last few weeks TOILET PAPER !!!!! LOL.
