英國模特兒 Matt Benstead 是本週 Man of the Week 的代表人物；從 14 歲開始被經紀公司發掘後便開啟了他的模特兒旅程， Mr Benstead 的英國鄉村紳士風格不僅讓他成為許多品牌指定的代言人，更因為他的英式風範風靡萬千媒體；而現在的他不僅僅是一位成功的模特兒，更是一個家庭的強大支柱，除了是一位好爸爸更是一位好老公；這位 Benstead 家族的閃亮之星與臺客雜誌獨家揭露了他的人生里程，並且頗析了他內心中最溫暖的那一面。
你對時尚有什麼看法？
時尚對我而言是一個能夠傳達自己個性的工具，它能夠真正表達你是誰；而且如果你夠勇敢的話，那麼你也可以嘗試去結合你從沒想過的事物，儘管你永遠不會認為它們能夠湊在一起。對我而言時尚就是要有創意，而且可以玩得很開心。
為什麼你會想成為專業模特兒呢？
在一個因緣際會下我遇到了適合的人，因此我從此成為了一位模特兒，雖然我仍然認為他們認為我有潛力作為模特兒完全是瘋了。我是在14歲的時候被發掘成為模特兒，而在學校畢業之後，我在16歲的時候正式進入 Models 1 開始工作，從那個時候開始我就這樣一路上走過來了。
你喜歡當一位模特兒嗎？為什麼呢？
我喜歡做模特兒是因為我希望我能全年無休的工作！不幸的是我沒有辦法完全地去控制這件事情，不過卻也同時幫助我發展成為一個大人。現在回想起來，我以前非常的害羞，因為進入這個世界對我來說就像是一場戰爭，因為我必須在每次面試的時候不斷的客戶說話，這對我來說其實是一件非常困難的事情。這個世界對我來說就像是一個異象世界，因為我從來沒有在火車和飛機上獨自旅行過，但是這件事情對我而言我盡管蒙上眼睛都能夠輕鬆做到！
現在的我喜歡現在結識新朋友，並且和多年來經常見面和工作過的面孔一起參加去參加面試。不過這些事情都是在智慧型手機發明之前了，因為以前的時代沒有辦法知道到底發生過什麼樣的事情但是現在一切似乎都完全曝曬在這個世紀上，一點隱私都沒有。
當你在拍攝人像攝影時，你有偏好被拍攝的角度嗎？
成為莫特兒這麼多年以來，我發現自己在拍照的時候都會有一個我稱之為“基本姿勢”的事情，因為這個姿勢通常都會表現出我最喜歡的角度。我的左臉是我最好看的一個角度！對我來說感到驚訝的是，一張臉竟然可以表現出那麼多不同的面向，但當然這也可能是一件壞事，不過我想這完全就是潛意識作祟吧。我在當模特兒之前曾經因為打橄欖球而把鼻子撞斷過，因此我的照片其實已經跟以前長得不太一樣了，不過也因為我的“羅馬鼻子”讓我被許多工作相中，我想這就是所謂的苦盡甘來吧。
你如何定義自己的風格呢？
我會說我的風格是典型的英國鄉村風。我現在住在倫敦南部的地區，而且我一直都住在倫敦外圍的地方。我衣櫃中最多的就是切爾西靴、直筒牛仔褲、素色上衣和油布外套和尖頂帽子，這就是我的表準配備！
不過我也嘗試著新的東西，尤其是每次我在拍攝時總是能夠穿上不同風格的衣服，所以想如果有一天我夠勇敢的話我應該會開始嘗試穿上跟我以前風格有些不一樣的服裝吧。
你認為西方時尚和亞洲時尚有什麼不同嗎？
多年前我會東方時尚跟西方時尚相比是相對保守的，不過我認爲現在已經開始改變了。畢竟時尚是一個我認為傯是在改變得一個產業。我不知道是不是因為資訊都更透明的關係，現在東方時尚已經更受到大家的注目了。
但是不管如何，人們還是想要創造出更多不同的創意。因為這個世界真的不斷的在改變也不斷的產生很大的變化。就像我剛才說到的 「時尚對我而言是一個能夠傳達自己個性的工具，它能夠真正表達你是誰」尤其我們現在也身處在在社群媒體的世界裡......它是一種用於自我表達的工具。
你的職業生涯中有經歷過什麼樣的挑戰嗎？你是怎麼克服的？
現在我的生活中正在面臨一個挑戰，我也正在努力克服。我已經成為模特兒15年了，不幸的是它不會永遠一直持續下去！時間的齒輪正在轉向下一步，至於誰會知道下一步該怎麼走...就只能看怎麼變化了。
這是我一路上學到的事情。你永遠無法真正預測未來，特別是在模特兒產業中，這一切都是不可預測的。
現在的我有兩個小孩、妻子、一隻狗和一匹孩子時常在騎小馬。我試著擁抱自己所擁有的一切，並希望找到與家庭生活和工作間良好的平衡。儘管我最想做的還是模特兒工作！
誰是你人生中的導師？
許多人在我的生命中都是啟蒙老師。例如我父親就是其中一位，他總是教導我很多有智慧的話。他一直以來都很支持我、幫助我想做的事情，特別是在我剛開始步入模特兒產業的時候，我永遠都不會忘記他曾經對我的幫助。
再來是 David，我在Models 1 的經紀人以及從我過去到現在的曾經跟我成為搭擋的人，他們都幫助我培養了我的職業生涯，不管是我正經歷著人生的低潮還是高點時，他們都不斷地幫助我激勵自己，他們總是不斷的給我建議別且請囊相受他們的智慧給我，如果沒有他們現在的我也不會有這樣子的成就，他們無庸置疑是我的第二個家庭。
British model Matt Benstead is the representative of Man of the Week this week; he started his model journey after being scouted at the age 14. Mr Benstead's English country gent style not only made him appeared on numerous campaigns and also because of his iconic English style, he is the wanted man of thousands of media. Now he is not only a successful model, but also a good father and a good husband. Matt Benstead is the the Benstead family's shining star and we are lucky could had an exclusively interview with him to revealed his life and get into the warmest side of his heart.
What do you think about fashion?
Fashion to me is a tool to express your personality, allowing people perhaps a brief insight as to who you are. But also it’s something you can (if you’re brave enough!) experiment with and mix and match items you would never think would go. To Be creative and have fun with.
What brings you to be a professional model?
Modelling came to me at meeting the right person at the right time. And even then I still thought they were crazy to think I had potential as a model. I was only 14 at the time of being scouted!!! I officially started modelling with Models 1 as I was coming round for 16 after I left school and I’ve never looked back since.
Do you like to be a model? Why?
I love being a model I only wished I was working 24/7 with it!!! Unfortunately I don’t have that control. It has helped me develop as a person. Looking back I was extremely shy. Entering this world straight out of school and having to converse with clients at castings was a struggle for me. It was an alien world. I’d never travelled on my own on trains and planes.
Now I can do it all blindfolded!!! I love meeting new people now and of course becoming reacquainted with familiar faces who you’ve met and worked with over the years. This of course was before smart phones and social so you didn’t know what was happening. Now it seems there’s no privacy as much any more.
Do you have a preference angle when you are doing a portrait photography?
Over the years I do find myself doing what I call my ‘default poses’ and refer to my favourite angles when I shoot. My left side is my best side!!! It’s amazing to me how different one face can look, not that it’s a bad thing of course. That just me being self conscious I guess.
I suffered a nose break not long before I started modelling playing rugby so my profiles are completely different. However my ‘Roman nose’ as it’s been referred to many time has booked me many jobs so perhaps a nose break benefited me greatly.
How do you define your style?
My style I would say is very English country gent. I’m based out in the countryside south of London. I’ve always been based outside London. My typical go to wardrobe consists of straight cut jeans, chunky Chelsea boots, a plain top and a wax jacket with a peaky hat. Standard!
I do try and switch it up, especially when you do shoots and you of course get put in some great outfits. So I guess I try to learn and adapt my style a bit when I feel more brave.
Do you think Western fashion and Asian's fashion has any different?
As regards to the difference between Western and Eastern fashion I would say that years ago there was a difference in that Eastern fashion was more conservative however I do feel it’s changing. Fashion as a whole I feel is changing consistently. I don’t know wether that’s because It’s more publicised these days and are therefor made more aware. However people as a whole are wanting to be more creative with it. The world has changed a lot. Like I said at the start people are using fashion to express themselves and to tell a story perhaps. To let people in on who they are. In a world of social media now...it’s a tool used to self express.
Have you ever met a challenge in your career? How did you overcome it?
I’m currently at a point in my life where I’ve hit a challenge. I’m trying to overcome this challenge. I’ve been modelling now coming up to 15 years and of course it’s not going to last forever, unfortunately!
The cogs are turning for the next step. As to what it is who knows...watch this space. That’s one thing I have learned. You can never really predict the future especially in the modelling game. Is very unpredictable. I have 2 young children...a wife...a dog and a pony, which the kids ride. I try to embrace what I have and I want to find a good balance with family life and work. Even though all I want to do is work!
Who’s your mentor?
I have many mentors in my life. My dad for one...who has always given me words of wisdom. He has supported me so much and has helped make things happen for me especially in the early days of my career. And I am forever grateful for this.
David my Booker at Models1 and all my past and present bookers have helped nurture me throughout my career. They have had to deal with my highs and lows and have helped me continually push myself. Their continual advice and combined knowledge they give, there is no doubt in my mind I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for them. They are my second family.
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