Meet Max Hurd

London-based art director and stylist

Meet Max Hurd - illustration 1

Max Hurd, London-based art director and stylist

Meet Max Hurd, a London-based art director and stylist. From the very beginning, his eyes were set on the creative industries, as his childhood was a period enriched by vibrant colors, fashion, and music. Discover more about his inspiring, artistic journey and vivid influences in our interview!

1. Hi Max! Can you tell us about your background and what influenced you to choose your current career path?

Hi! Growing up in Brazil, I was always surrounded by color, fashion, music, and art. So, when it came to choosing a career, it was always going to be something within the creative industry. I started out working as a shop assistant for my brother's godmother, Anya Hindmarch, and did various internships at PR Agencies in my summer holidays. My career path changed dramatically when I was cast in a Burberry Campaign when I was 18, which led to a few years of modeling before I decided I was happier behind, rather than in front of the camera. From modeling, I went onto blogging (as it was called before influencing took over!), and then styling and art direction.

2. Did you always know that you wanted to be a stylist and art director? If not, what were the motivating factors behind your career choice?

No! I never really had a great master plan when it came to my career. I have always slightly made it up as I've gone along! I fell into styling very organically, it was a natural graduation from dressing myself to dressing others, and from there I realized I also liked being in control of how the whole shot turned out, so art direction was an obvious next step. I have been very lucky to have worked with some amazing people who have allowed me the chance to try my hand at lots of different roles.

Meet Max Hurd - illustration 1
Meet Max Hurd - illustration 1

Max in an atelier

3. How would you describe your style? And how has it evolved?

I would say that my style has definitely calmed down a bit over the last couple of years. I used to be a lot more out there (although I have never really been sure where 'there' is)! It's now quite heavily 70s inspired, with a dash of Dorian Grey. Lots of large collars and high-waisted trousers, with velvet suits and costume jewelry.

4. Do you draw upon any specific artists or art movements when styling or art directing? If yes, who and why?

It is completely dependent on the project. Part of my job is to interpret what the client wants, and help them to expand on their initial ideas, and often the best way is to show them references relevant to their ideas. I love this part of my job as it allows me to spend hours researching different genres of art, film, fashion, and music. My job is to create stories and to sell a fantasy, and I do of course have my favorites. I tend to come back a lot to the Pre-Raphaelite school for their storytelling (my absolute favorite painting of all time is Chatteron by Henry Wallis), Max Ernst for his extraordinary dream-like scenes, Otto Dix for his portraits, and all the 18th-century French Rococo painters for the sheer level of camp. Photography-wise I always go back to George Platt Lynes, Helmet Newton, Peter Schlesinger, Slim Aarons, and Andy Warhol.

Meet Max Hurd - illustration 1
Meet Max Hurd - illustration 1

 A selection of photographs of the artistic director

5. Does your profession impact the way you decorate your home? How would you describe your interior design or personal art collection?

Definitely! My home has to be reflective of what I can do creatively. Especially in this post-pandemic era, where we spent a lot more time looking into each other's homes through social media, facetime, zoom, etc! My house was done with the help of my great friend Benedict Foley. We decided to treat my house like a client and create a space that was reflective of who I am as a person and where I am in my life right now. Turns out where I am in my life is somewhere between an Oscar Wilde drawing room and a Brazilian bordello! It's colorful and slightly mad, but I like to think very considered! My personal art collection is a mixture of antiques I have picked up from all over, lots of Brazilian art, and a few very special pieces given to me by close friends and family.

6. Do you have a favorite place to experience art?

In London, either The Tate Britain or The Wallace Collection. Otherwise, Venice, which is essentially a piece of art in itself.

7. Do you have any advice for people interested in a similar career trajectory but are too intimidated to jump in?

Just jump in! Be brave and don't be afraid to pitch yourself for jobs that you might feel you do not have the experience to take on. Everyone is making it up as they go along! Also to all young freelancers out there - the best advice I was given was from my stepfather who told me that “your day rate is the highest number you can say with a straight face!"


Their favorite artworks

Photography, Man’s hand: From Motion Series, Ricky Cohete

Man’s hand: From Motion Series

Ricky Cohete

Photography - 91.4 x 61 x 0.3 cm

$2,222

Photography, Body Painting par Keith Haring, Patrick Sarfati

Body Painting par Keith Haring

Patrick Sarfati

Photography - 40 x 30 cm

$903

Print, Lovers, 1917 (Mann und frau, umarmung), Egon Schiele

Lovers, 1917 (Mann und frau, umarmung)

Egon Schiele

Print - 74.5 x 52 cm

$1,118

Photography, Contre-jour, Alain Longeaud

Contre-jour

Alain Longeaud

Photography - 65 x 50 cm

$1,807

Print, Potpourri en Ciel, Alexander Calder

Potpourri en Ciel

Alexander Calder

Print - 73.7 x 55.2 cm

$12,500

Painting, Love Cures No.8, Xiao Ying Chen

Love Cures No.8

Xiao Ying Chen

Painting - 100 x 80 x 4 cm

Sold

Painting, Still Life With Monkey, Fruits and Flowers, Alexey Golovin

Still Life With Monkey, Fruits and Flowers

Alexey Golovin

Painting - 135 x 105 x 4 cm

$21,004

Painting, Brutus Family, Patrick Pietropoli

Brutus Family

Patrick Pietropoli

Painting - 195.6 x 142.2 cm

$25,000

Painting, Hasty Departure, Gabrielle Rul

Hasty Departure

Gabrielle Rul

Painting - 31 x 23 x 0.1 cm

$452

Painting, Tête Z, Ivan Tzonev

Tête Z

Ivan Tzonev

Painting - 80 x 60 x 3 cm

$542