Project Runway Showcases Rising Talent as Collective Casting’s Model Yu Makes Debut Appearance
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.
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.
ESSENCE MAGAZINE America’s Next Top AI: Can the Black Beauty Community Stay On Top? Featuring Ariona Beninato
As AI-generated models gain traction, some clients are replacing real talent with digital creations, cutting casting budgets and opportunities—especially for Black models already facing industry bias. Essence Magazine welcomes Ariona Beninato, where she highlights that this shift erases authentic representation in beauty and media.
To read more about this article, please visit: https://www.essence.com/beauty/black-beauty-ai-erasure-community/
aI is stepping on to the runway as a model, stylist and strategist. Will AI and beauty evolve with inclusion and creativity or erase the community that gives it meaning?
“Some of my clients have replaced their casting budgets with AI models,” says Ariona Beninato, CEO of Collective Casting, a NYC based modeling agency. “There are even AI casting agencies with perfectly coded rosters.”
ESSENCE MAGAZINE How Inclusive Storytelling Is Finally Having Its Moment: By Briana Holt featuring Ariona Beninato
A growing movement is challenging colorism and reshaping the way Black womanhood is seen on screen. Essence Magazine welcomes Ariona Beninato to highlight how some clients explicitly request lighter-skinned Black women for roles, reflecting a broader industry issue that prioritizes Eurocentric beauty standards over authentic representation. The article underscores the urgent need for change in how Black women are valued and portrayed on screen.
To read more about this article, please visit: https://www.essence.com/entertainment/beauty-of-black-women-leads/
“ The casting department is “human resources” where it’s their job to “get what the hiring manager wants at the end of the day.” She says “Some clients have been so overt about their colorist preferences that they’ve included a lighter skin tone preference in their descriptions for Black female roles.”
How She Did It Podcast: An Interview with Collective Casting Founder Ariona Beninato
Yvanna Bollanga welcomes Ariona Beninato to the “How She Did It” podcast where she comes on to discuss her journey to success as an entrepreneur and a model despite facing various obstacles in a notoriously non-inclusive industry.
Yvanna Bollanga welcomes Ariona beninato to the “How she did it podcast.” Ariona Beninato, the founder of a New York-based casting company Collective Casting focuses on models and talent of color. She comes on to discuss her journey to success as an entrepreneur and a model despite facing various obstacles in a notoriously non-inclusive industry.
Our Model Haus Launch Party
Check out our recap for our first ever Model Haus Party! This exclusive event brought together models, creators, and friends for an unforgettable night filled with curated bites, creative cocktails by Tipsy by Teju, and sounds by DJ MoreSoupPlease. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere enhanced by s’mores and spirited conversations. Capture the essence of community, fashion, and fun at this unique gathering. Stay tuned for more events that celebrate creativity and connection!
thank you to everyone in our community that joined us for our inaugural house party this past weekend. we are so excited to host our first event at our model haus.
