We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mandrill Hardge. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mandrill below.

Mandrill, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Learning the craft begins honestly with getting connected to a person or persons who have been in the film/tv industry for a while. These connections grew my desire and passion to master my skill set as well as stretch it creatively. I have been extremely fortunate to work alongside industry top Dept Head and Hair Designers. These masterminds have shaped my eye for authenticity and precision in styling. I have also been fueled to be more of a designer myself in regards to character development in hairstyling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Mandrill “Mannie” Hardge and I am a Hair Stylist in Film/TV. I began my journey back in ‘06 when I joined the styling team at Attitude’s by Moe! in downtown Atlanta. Joining this trendsetting salon team challenged me to think outside of the box when it comes to styling. Although my clientele was more conservative based, watching my fellow stylist work on music videos, commercials and editorial, caused me to want to study more style techniques, take classes and attend shows to keep my eye sharp. Later on some of my fellow stylist got the opportunity to work in the hair dept of The Game and hearing their stories was like watching a movie in itself. During this time, one of our stylist had moved from LA and was already connected in the film/tv industry and show she was willing to take me under her wings. To this day she is prevalent in my career as a mentor and sounding board! After working a few TV shows (The Rickey Smiley Show, Second Generation Wayans) a music video (Waka Flocka Flame “Get Low”) and a movie (Spectacular Now) here Atlanta, I relocated to NYC to learn the business from a different and more established community of filmmakers. I had the honor of working with a Broadway star on The Rickey Smiley Show and mentioned to her that I would love to one day style her on Broadway. About a month after getting to NYC I saw the marquee in Times Square that she was returning in her role as Mama Morton in Chicago, the Musical. I reached out and fast forward I was offered a Swing position as hairstylist and went on to become full time with the show for the first 2yrs of my living there. I later faced an obstacle in that position which led to me falling back in to my first dream/goal, which styling for Film/TV. I’ve now been back Hair Styling on features and episodic television since “15. And I’ve reimagined what mastering my craft looks like and I am so grateful for my journey to this point. Having worked in all capacities, I wouldn’t trade any one for the other!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect for me is watching the monitor on set and knowing that the hair styling lended to the story and the scene. I never want a style to be louder than the actor. So when I see the transformation and see it played out on screen, I’m at my happiest point.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Early on in my film/tv journey, I wished that I had studied or taken classes in more period styling techniques. We often forget about the periods behind us while we’re in the salon , with the exception of 5yrs or less. We are mainly either concerned about our clients hair integrity or trendsetting so to have a hunger for period styling studies is almost unheard of.

Contact Info:

• Website: MandrillHardgeHairstylist.com
• Instagram: Mandrill Hardge
• Facebook: Mandrill Hardge Hairstylist
• Linkedin: Mandrill.Hardge
• Twitter: @mandrillhardge