Paris Fashion Week Embraces Inclusive Shift as Supermodel Elton Ilirjani Graces Runway for Recep Demiray x Hatun Tekstil

Paris Vogue Week witnessed a strong stride in the direction of a extra inclusive future immediately as supermodel Elton Ilirjani, also referred to as HANKO, graced the runway for Turkish model Recep Demiray x Hatun Tekstil on October 2. His commanding presence on the World Vogue Collective showcase at La Maison des Metallos underscored a rising motion to redefine magnificence and illustration in excessive style.

Ilirjani, an Albanian-American powerhouse and vocal genderless advocate, is famend for reworking the runway right into a efficiency artwork stage, utilizing his complete being to convey emotion and artistry. His stroll for Demiray and Hatun Tekstil wasn’t only a presentation of clothes; it was a press release, furthering his mission to champion range and break conventional boundaries throughout the business.

The collaboration introduced collectively Recep Demiray, a designer celebrated for crafting customized, elegant clothes that seize “feelings and reminiscences of their most elegant kind,” with Hatun Tekstil, a Turkish material retailer with a Paris showroom recognized for its luxurious, progressive textiles. Demiray’s philosophy, emphasizing distinctive tales and making particular events unforgettable, aligns seamlessly with the inclusive spirit Ilirjani embodies. Hatun Tekstil’s dedication to “the place each thread tells a narrative of excellence” discovered a poignant echo in Ilirjani’s expressive efficiency.

The runway present, a part of the World Vogue Collective (GFC) showcase, offered the right worldwide platform for this forward-thinking collaboration. GFC has a robust historical past of supporting over 200 designers from greater than 35 international locations, serving to them achieve international recognition and entry new markets – a mission that resonates deeply with Ilirjani’s personal dedication to rising expertise.

With over 12 million followers on Instagram, Ilirjani makes use of his formidable platform not just for style but in addition as a human rights activist. His journey into modeling started in 2019, catalyzed by his distinctive fashion and advocacy, rapidly main him to international runways from New York and Milan to London and Tokyo. Identified for his dramatic openings and closings and an inventive method that transcends a typical mannequin’s stroll, Ilirjani constantly helps unbiased, up-and-coming designers, reflecting his inclusive ethos. His visibility as the primary publicly homosexual businessman in conservative Albania in 2016 additional cemented his function as a trailblazer, paving the way in which for better acceptance and illustration.

This Paris Vogue Week look by Elton Ilirjani signifies a pivotal second the place excessive style actively embraces gender fluidity, numerous narratives, and the artistry of particular person expression. Because the business continues to evolve, figures like Ilirjani and types keen to push boundaries are essential in shaping a style panorama that actually displays the richness and complexity of the trendy world, making class accessible to all.

About Elton Ilirjani

Albanian American mannequin Elton Ilirjani, greatest recognized by his mannequin’s identify HANKO, is a mainstay on international runways. He’s a runway mannequin, genderless advocate and style icon primarily based in New York Metropolis, however travels the world strolling runway reveals at international style weeks, like Paris Vogue Week, Milan Vogue Week, London Vogue Week, and others.

Elton is breaking new floor as a genderless mannequin. He walks for up-and-coming manufacturers, serving to them achieve publicity within the business and the media along with his giant following. Elton is understood for opening or closing their reveals, whereas bringing a efficiency artwork edge to the runway, going far past your typical mannequin stroll. Elton makes use of his eyes, facial expressions, arms and poses to show that strolling the runway is an artwork kind.

Most not too long ago, he labored alongside Japanese multimedia artist Naoko Tosa in Japa, Manuel Tiscareno in Milan, Wenny Han in New York, Arabesque Boudoir in Iceland, Winruit in London, Fierce by AP in New York, amongst dozens of others. Supporting younger, up and coming designers is essential to Elton’s inclusive ethos within the style world.

A mainstay within the Albanian tabloids, he gained notoriety as the primary homosexual businessman who got here out as publicly homosexual in 2016, casing shockwaves all through the conservative nation.

As a seasoned skilled, it began again in 2019, when Elton found Sam & Marvin’s style boutique 3NY in New York Metropolis. Elton began to purchase garments there, which focuses on Asian designers you don’t usually discover in retail shops in New York Metropolis.

The designs caught his eye. Elton began to publish himself on Instagram to his following of 12 million followers, as he’s a famend human rights activist from Albania. He began carrying the Asian designers’ garments and tagging them within the posts. That led to a friendship with the designers, and a few began asking him to stroll for them at New York Vogue Week to Seoul Vogue Week. He first began modeling for BESFXXK, then began strolling for different South Korean designers.

Now, Elton has walked for style designers at New York, Milan, Paris, London, Athens, Costa Rica, Miami and Tokyo Vogue Weeks from 2022 onward.

At the newest New York Vogue Week 2025, he walked for designers Jemma Russo and Naoka Tosa. He has additionally walked for famend designers like Greedilous and Malan Breton and simply walked for the Ema Savahl runway present at Miami Swim Week, The Exhibits. Elton helps unbiased, up-and-coming couture designers. He walks for worldwide style designers to indicate the facility of artwork and tradition by way of style, by bringing folks collectively. He has over 12 million followers on Instagram.

Photographs by Arun Nevader