Spotlite on the digitalization of the fashion industry: Interview with former model and CSO Benjamin

Aug 07, 2024

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hello. Spotlite recently surpassed 1200 global models. We're on the verge of global expansion, starting with Thailand, and we're growing every day. In just over a year, we've grown so fast that we've changed the way talent and clients work across the country and around the world... The reason behind our rapid growth, and why so many models, both local and international, have chosen to work with us, is Benjamin Hori, a current model, Spotlite co-founder, and CSO.

Last time we featured an interview with Spotlite co-founder and CEO Hannah, we talked about the company's vision and current offerings. In this interview, we'll talk to Benjamin about the fashion industry and the values Spotlite stands for.

Spotlite Benjamin Hori Interview

I didn't realize that Benjamin Hori, the model in Spotlite, is the same person as the Spotlite CSO. How did you come up with the idea to start Spotlite?

I've been in the industry for a long time, having started modeling at a young age. I think because I experienced it firsthand, I was able to see the pain points of both models and clients more directly. I really felt the constraints and difficulties they face in the field and wanted to solve them. Most models don't have the freedom to connect with clients without an agency. I've worked as a freelance model, but that didn't give me much autonomy. On the contrary, you are given a lot of problems that you have to solve on your own during the booking, contracting, and shooting process. So we thought it would be great if the fashion industry also had a platform where talent (suppliers) and clients could transact transparently, securely, and freely within one platform, and that's how Spotlite came to be.

If so, we'd love to know what you do in Spotlite.

As the founder of Spotlite, I'm focused on making sure that the team has the resources they need to grow and that we have a clear direction for the company. Beyond that, I'm responsible for acquiring all of the talent for the platform, partnering with key industry players, and guiding the right clients and talent to come to Spotlite. We're focused on making sure that a lot of talent and clients get more out of being in the Spotlite.

When a modeling request actually comes in through Spotlite, does Benjamin send you a quote and schedule directly?

I'm still modeling. Only when a client boots me through a platform, Spotlite. If you want to cast me as a model, please do it through Spotlite. I can do it in a few minutes (laughs). Like other Spotlite models, I determine my own market value (quote) and choose the work I want to accept.

From your own experience as a model, what were some of the advantages of this over the old way of casting?

As a current model, I can tell you that Spotlite definitely gives models a lot of control over their careers and gives them a lot of control over their work. On the flip side, as a client, it's easy and quick to book multiple models with different looks for different campaigns throughout the four seasons, which means more options and an efficient casting process.

I'm curious about Benjamin's modeling career.

I was first street cast by NEXT Canada when I was 14 years old, but I didn't really think about modeling as a career at the time. However, I was street cast again by a local agency, and my interest was piqued, so I entered the modeling industry. I traveled to Asia, signed a contract with IMW WWW, and continued my modeling career in Europe. Then I settled in Korea and started Spotlite.

Can you share one of your favorite brand stories?

One of my most memorable shoots was when I was in Shanghai, working on a campaign for a brand called Septwolves. We did almost 10 campaigns together, and one day we had to fly to the desert of Inner Mongolia. We had to drive through the desert for 2 hours to get to the location (after driving 6 hours from the airport to the hotel...). It was an unforgettable experience to be in the middle of the desert, eating local food and seeing the amazing scenery.

And one of my most memorable shoots in Spotlite was with a brand called Merley Made. It was a very small team with a limited budget, but the team chemistry was so great that it felt like I was with friends instead of working! I was also thrilled to receive one of my favorite brand's collections :)

My beliefs and goals have remained unchanged from then to now.
The digital transformation of the fashion industry is absolutely necessary,
and I want

Spotlite to be an enabler and accelerator.

You've worked both overseas and in Korea, is there anything you've found different or difficult to adjust to in Korea?

Each market is different and has different preferences for model appearance. In Korea, I felt that the lack of transparencywas the biggest difference. This is a personal experience. The amount that most of my clients paid for my services did not match the amount shown on my statements. This was one of the big motivations to start Spotlite.

Because of the non-transparent quoting and casting process, the model was getting paid less than she should have been, and the client was paying more than the final amount I was actually getting paid. But no one talked about it. Unfortunately, this problem affected not only my life, but also the lives of my friends (models) who were in Korea at the time. It's personally rewarding and gratifying to know that Spotlite now allows both the talent and the client to contract and fulfill the original quote.

We're already a year old. Can you share any personal efforts or thoughts you've made to keep moving forward as a startup?

I remember when I was working in Thailand and first told Hannah about the idea of starting Spotlite. It's amazing to see the Spotlite system up and running in Thailand a year later. The early days of Spotlite seem like a distant memory now. I remember those first days of meeting models one-on-one in coffee shops and convincing them to join the platform. It's amazing to think that we now have over 1200 models from all over the world. Every day is a surprise.

What I've always wanted is for every creative in the world to have choice and autonomy over their career. So in that sense, I would say we're on the right track. We're going to expand our service in Thailand, then in Southeast Asia, and ultimately around the world, and I believe it's going to be used by a lot of people.

Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share?

We're thrilled that Spotlite has already impacted the lives of so many talents and clients in Korea. Now I'm looking forward to the good change we will bring to the world beyond Korea. I would like to thank my partner, Hannah, my co-founder, and all of our team members who have always been so supportive in helping us achieve these goals. Spotlite's success and growth is fundamentally due to the collaboration and hard work of the amazing team we have. I never forget that! I truly value my team like family. I will always be grateful.

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