Supermodel and genderless advocate Elton Ilirjani further proved his role as a fashion disrupter, concluding Paris Fashion Week Womenswear SS 2026 with a striking street-style photoshoot featuring the boundary-pushing designs of PoetLab by Giuseppe Iaciofano.
The Albanian American model, known professionally as HANKO, used the high-profile closing moments of PFW to champion the London-based luxury streetwear brand, which focuses on fluidity, resilience, and challenging traditional norms.
Photographed by Arun Nevader, Ilirjani showcased two distinct looks that exemplified PoetLab’s commitment to geometric precision and bold silhouettes. For one look, he donned a sleek, black two-piece ensemble featuring a flowing skirt and a modern cowl-neck shirt. A vibrant contrast followed, with Ilirjani posing in a colorful, graphic print dress, underscoring his dedication to presenting fashion as a fearless and fluid expression of self.
Founded in 2023 by designer and creative director Giuseppe Iaciofano, PoetLab has quickly become known for fusing the glamour of Milan with the pragmatism of New York, transforming classic tailoring through minimalist aesthetics and oversized silhouettes.
The brand is deeply personal for Iaciofano, who weaves his own journey of resilience—including battles with cancer and experiences of discrimination—into the DNA of each collection. PoetLab functions as a testament to self-expression and inclusivity, appealing to individuals who see fashion as a daily, powerful language.
“I don’t believe in following rules,” Iaciofano stated. “My vision thrives in the tension between opposites—where minimalism meets excess, softness meets structure, and tradition collides with rebellion. This dialogue is my formula for rewriting the norm.”
Elton Ilirjani is a global fashion mainstay, traveling the world walking runways from Milan to Tokyo. However, his choice to collaborate with emerging brands like PoetLab is central to his inclusive ethos in the industry. Leveraging his massive platform—which boasts over 12 million social media followers—Ilirjani helps independent, up-and-coming designers gain critical exposure.
As a seasoned runway veteran, Ilirjani is celebrated for going beyond the scope of a typical model. Often opening or closing shows, he brings a performance art edge to the runway, using intense facial expressions, dynamic posing, and eye contact to prove that modeling is, fundamentally, an art form.
Ilirjani’s influence extends far beyond textiles. He gained notoriety in 2016 as the first openly gay businessman in conservative Albania, creating shockwaves and establishing himself as a prominent human rights activist.
His latest collaboration with PoetLab reinforces his professional mandate: to show the power of art and culture through fashion, defying conventions, and bringing diverse voices and styles into the global spotlight. By choosing Iaciofano’s designs to mark the end of the SS 2026 season in Paris, Ilirjani once again positioned himself at the volatile and exciting intersection of high fashion and cultural revolution.
Photos by Arun Nevader
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