MEEt THE FOUNDER
Collective Casting is a full service casting and model management company. We promote the advocacy of models and talent of color through representation. We are rooted in normalizing employment of people of color in the beauty, fashion, and entertainment industry. We serve justice and power to our people through positive representation on set.
Collective Casting was created by Ariona Beninato in a kitchen in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn in 2017 to cater to black models due to the lack of diverse representation by major fashion agencies in New York City. While most agencies resorted to tokenism, Collective began with a small roster of all black models.
Collective Casting was founded on the beliefs of embracing afro centric beauty standards and the spectrum of beauty amongst all sizes and skin tones of diaspora.
Collective Casting has serviced over a thousand models of color across the country. We cast for an array of brands and artists including: Madonna, Lil Uzi Vert, Balmain Paris, Alicia Keys, Dark N Lovely, Oribe, and ULTA Beauty.
Meet the Team
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ARIONA BENINATO
FOUNDER/CEO, AGENT
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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NICOLE PREISEL
DESIGN DIRECTOR, PHOTOGRAPHER, AGENT
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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GHISLAINE LEON
PARTNERSHIPS & MARKETING MANAGER, AGENT
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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JUNILKA DIAZ
AGENT
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TEVIN MAJORS
CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
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OUR VALUES
Collective Casting is a New York–based model management and casting company built on the belief in the power of representing the spectrum of beauty.We book models for major brands in hair, fashion, beauty, and entertainment, connecting brands with authentic, diverse talent.
Our work includes hair presentations, commercial work, beauty campaigns, music videos, showroom, and live events.
We represent select models for client-exclusive bookings and offer casting services for productions nationwide.
At our core, we advocate for the normalization and celebration of Afrocentric beauty and the visibility of Black and Brown voices across every facet of media. Our mission is to shift the narrative to ensure that talent of color are not only seen, but centered.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Our Story
Collective Casting was created by Ariona Beninato in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn in 2017 to cater to Black models due to the lack of diverse representation by major fashion agencies in New York City. While most agencies resorted to tokenism, Collective began with a small roster of all Black models based in Cleveland, Ohio.
2018
Model divisions are established in Cleveland and New York City.
Collective Casting earns 3rd place in 'Best of Cleveland' Awards for Best StartUp.
Expansion of Los Angeles division and music video casting department is created.
Collective casts music videos for major artists such as Megan the Stallion “She Live" & Brent Faiyaz "Trust."
Collective’s model database expands to states such as Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana and Las Vegas.
2020
Beyoncé names Collective Casting as a part of her 'Black Parade' a directory of Black small business owners.
With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, an influencer division was started in order to create opportunites for models virtually.
After a 4-month booking hiatus, Collective casted their first music video for Joey Bada$$, “The Light.”
Collective Casting begins to work with prominent beauty brands, such as Amika, Kiehl’s, and Garnier.
A hair division is officially created through the start of partnerships with major hair brands such as Joico, Henkel. and L'Oreal brands.
2021
2022
Collective casts videos for Madonna - Hung Up & Lil Uzi - Just Wanna Rock, one of the biggest songs of 2022.
Collective hits over $300,000 paid out to models of color.
Collective celebrates an MTV VMA nomination + winner of BET Hip Hop Awards Hip Hop Video and song of the Year for Lil Uzi’s - “Just Wanna Rock.”
Collective hosts first open call + model mixer event in New York City generating over 500 guests in attendance from all around the world.
Collective hits over a million dollars in model payments across the country.
2023
2024
Major hair partnerships with Oribe and Ulta Beauty are established.
The creation of the model house is born with housing opportunities for models during their bookings in Florida, Miami, and Texas.
A New York City Model Haus is established, catering to models and creatives in the Collective Casting network that are in need of safe housing.
2019
In Season 21 of Project Runway, the spotlight wasn’t just on the designers. With a reputation for discovering next-generation talent, Collective had the honor of placing our model, Yu, on the show marking a proud milestone in the agency’s journey.
