MC Barnes
Within a society fixed on us becoming so good and efficient at one particular thing - it's no surprise that to please my optimistic & driven mindset, I've found that the terms 'multi-hyphenate' and 'multipotentialites' resonate so deeply with me.
MC Barnes
Writing: MC Barnes
Photography: Edvinas Bruzas
Despite being told by my mum early on that I could do several passions if I wanted, I did focus on the path most of us do - go to uni, get a job in that field, etc. However, within my early years in my career I found that once again the term multipotentialites kept popping up and resonating for me and just made sense! I wanted to have as many opportunities, juggle as many things as I could, and make an impact in more than one area.
Coined by Emilie Wapnick, 'multipotentialite' represents someone with endless potential and possibilities we may believe in, want to achieve, or already hold.
I got my initial foot in the industry when I was studying at the University of Arts London and obtained my Bachelors in Fashion Photography. My beginnings started by interning with the photographer, director, and publisher, Campbell Addy. At the time he likewise was a model agent and casting director. Within interning and assisting him, I was exposed to an array of duties and possibilities. I learned a plethora of tools such as heavy researching, hands on equipment work, and concept treatment birthing.
After interning for a bit, I then transitioned eventually into looking after Nii Agency's emails. This was a stepping stone into the next big adventure I was in for. I remember the day SO clearly when Campbell first asked me to man the Nii Agency emails - and I honestly think I was going to combust from nervousness haha. Campbell's modeling and casting agency - Nii Agency - had a great reputation and track record so far with being this empowering and visible platform that allowed people who weren't fairly represented in the fashion industry - to be represented and seen on the main stage.
Soon, I was promoted to Head Model Booker. Much of my enjoyment within Nii was being alongside Campbell and figuring things out as we progressed on. While working at Nii Agency, I was still assisting Campbell on shoots, and I think this was around the time I figured out how important being a multipotentialite was for me. With everything I was beginning to figure out that I enjoyed i.e. managing talent, assisting on creative shoots, casting etc, I didn't want anything to really take a back seat or to be sacrificed. So I continued on and did it all.
Moving closer to the present day, after Nii Agency closed its doors, Campbell and I continued to work together, and I now look after the excess of his personal life and anything needed - whether it has to do with creative work aspects, or not. Again, I held strongly onto my belief that as a multipotentialite - I could and wanted to juggle it all.
“Around November 2019 to early 2020, I started independently representing models and talent. While I took 2020 on like everyone else, worried and fearful for the year to come, after a couple months I felt it was imperative for me to strongly carry on with this new narrative we were given and just believe heavily in my abilities and figure things out as I went on. There was never going to be a "right time" to do something, so I started then and there.”
I heavily focused on my writing career and pitched to various platforms and magazines like crazy, I wrote freelance for platforms on advice topics, wellbeing, mental health, and the overall empowerment of minority communities. I received my first ever commission for a platform and it was with HuffPost - importantly the article was called "My Virginity is Empowering, Not Embarrassing." Following that, I was commissioned by i-D to see my pitch through that was based on Louis Vuitton's SS21 All Asian Cast and Why It Was So Important.
2020 was also the year I took on independent casting and strongly pushed through to make connections in a realm I hadn't really explored by myself before. Early on I casted for the Louis Vuitton SS21 Tokyo show video content and also casted for a Vogue Spain editorial story. While 2020 was a year that pushed us to really rethink our past narratives and norms, it also became a year of progression for me. Literally nothing was going to stop me from exceeding my expectations that year. I would (and still do) use every day as an opportunity to send out hundreds of emails sharing my portfolio to potential clients.
I've come to realise that a big reason I continued on in my path with being a mother agent (regardless if it's with a model or creative talent) is that I really took on this "mothering" type. I truly care about the talent I represent and go above & beyond for them to ensure they are seen, heard, respected, and empowered. As a self-employed creative, it's imperative for me to work extra hard to meet goals and progress through my efforts - likewise it's made me recognise I really am the one responsible for making my life at least a tenth of how I want to see it. My main advice for readers is to really see that your life is to be illustrated by you - no one else, no matter how many rejections they serve you. Next, work 10x harder than you think you are currently and set up boundaries too - don't let people take advantage of you. When it's past working hours, allow yourself to clock off - just like 9-5ers. And finally, keeping an optimistic outlook is so key - there really are endless possibilities out in the world, ready for you to grab.
By Emma Witter & Will Bunce