Elton Ilirjani Champions Genderless Fashion at New York Fashion Week
Albanian model, LGBT activist, and genderbending fashion icon Elton Ilirjani made a striking presence at New York Fashion Week, walking the runway for two visionary designers: South Korean label TRIPLEROOT and Japanese multimedia artist Naoko Tosa. This appearance proves Ilirjani’s position as a pioneer in the genderless model movement and highlights his commitment to pushing the boundaries of fashion and self-expression.
Ilirjani, who boasts a combined global following of over 12 million, is known for his activism, television appearances, and runway walks at major fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, New York, and Tokyo. He notably made history as the first genderless model to walk the runway at Seoul Fashion Week in 2023, adding another significant milestone to his already impressive career. Beyond his modeling work, Ilirjani is also the CEO and founder of HeadHunter Karriera LLC, a socially responsible company dedicated to advancing human rights, women’s rights, and LGBT rights in the workplace.
On February 9, for the TRIPLEROOT runway show, a brand designed by Jinsun Lee, Ilirjani participated in a captivating performance art collaboration with artist Yun SongA. TRIPLEROOT’s style may be characterized by simple silhouettes, elegant modes, and trendy aesthetics, aligns with Lee’s vision of empowering contemporary women with self-confidence and self-respect. Ilirjani first graced the runway holding a white cloth, which was then transformed into a mythical South Korean bird granting wishes through Yun SongA’s artistry. In a seamless transition, Ilirjani then donned the painted cloth, wearing the striking artwork as he walked the runway. For his second appearance for TRIPLEROOT, Ilirjani sported a grey mohair outfit, further showcasing the label’s unique sensibility. Yun SongA, the collaborating artist, is renowned for her “Camel Series” of paintings, which have been exhibited at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
As part of that same runway show for Global Fashion Collective, Ilirjani opened the show for Japanese multimedia artist and fashion designer Naoko Tosa, whose work explores the intersection of art, technology, and disaster preparedness. Tosa, influenced by video art pioneer Nam June Paik, is dedicated to creating “fashion for the future,” focusing on disaster prevention clothing designed to protect the human body during natural disasters and address the challenges of climate change.
Before the show commenced, a video played, posing the thought-provoking question: “What if disaster prevention clothing looks cool?” Tosa’s designs incorporate innovative features like LED dresses designed to flag individuals in emergency situations, constructed from fire-resistant fabrics typically used by firefighters. “LED fashion provides safety if you become trapped under debris in a disaster,” Tosa explained.
Ilirjani opened the show wearing a striking LED-embedded dress with visible cables, weighing a substantial 20 pounds. Throughout the show, the dress displayed dynamic digital patterns, captivating the audience with its innovative blend of fashion and technology.
Both TRIPLEROOT and Naoko Tosa’s runway presentations were part of the Global Fashion Collective, founded in 2017 by Jamal Abdourahman. This initiative aims to cultivate and support emerging global fashion talents, providing a platform for designers to showcase their work at prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week, Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo, and during London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Weeks. With its internationally diverse team of professionals, the Global Fashion Collective is dedicated to creating pathways for future talents and fostering success in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
Ilirjani’s participation in New York Fashion Week not only highlighted the talent of these innovative designers but also reinforced his commitment to challenging conventional fashion norms and advocating for inclusivity and self-expression within the industry. His continued success as a model, activist, and entrepreneur demonstrates that it is possible to achieve international recognition while remaining authentic and unapologetically true to oneself.
Photos by Arun Nevader