About Us
Our Story
The history and evolution of the brand.
Lotus was born from Rodrigo Dantas’s international experience as a model and from spotting an opportunity in the market: connecting Brazilian talent with the right agencies around the world, building international relationships and developing careers strategically.
More than a model agency, Lotus was built on its founder’s real experience inside the fashion industry, his knowledge of different markets, his cultural fluency and an international network of partners.
Lotus timeline
- The path to Lotus
- 2006
The start in international fashion
Rodrigo Dantas begins his career as an international model, working in different countries and getting to know first-hand how the market, the agencies and the opportunities for Brazilian models work.
- 2009
The first agency in China
Rodrigo settles in China and founds Dantas Models. The operation starts bringing Brazilian models to the Chinese market, strengthening his network and his experience as an entrepreneur.
- Lotus
- 2011
The birth of Lotus
Seeing demand from models who wanted to work in other countries, Rodrigo identifies an opportunity beyond China. Lotus Models is born, aiming to widen the international possibilities for Brazilian talent.
Rodrigo starts travelling to different markets, getting closer to agencies and building the relationships that make new contracts possible.
- 2011–2014
Building the international network
Direct relationships with hundreds of Chinese agencies, helped by his Mandarin and local experience, strengthen the operation. Rodrigo develops partnerships, negotiates contracts and shapes a business model based on connecting models and agencies.
- 2014
A new stage of international focus
Rodrigo hands part of the China operation to his Chinese partner and focuses his efforts on Lotus and its international work.
- 2019
Back to Brazil
Rodrigo returns to Brazil and begins planning a national operation. The initial idea was to bring a São Paulo agency to work locally, keeping Lotus focused on the international market.
- 2020–2022
An opportunity postponed by the pandemic
The pandemic prevents the Brazilian operation from opening as planned. Rodrigo postpones the project while Lotus keeps its international work going.
- 2024
Opening the Brazilian operation
Rodrigo opens the operation in Brazil in partnership with Carol Boian, who already had experience in the company and relationships with many clients. This marks a new phase of expansion.
- 2025
Consolidation and growth
The Brazilian operation goes through a positive period, continuing to build its local presence and client relationships.
- 2026
Innovation and new paths
Lotus keeps pace with market changes, including artificial intelligence, and expands its work with new fronts such as Lotus Studio AI.