The confluence of avant-garde modeling and bespoke luxury bridal wear took center stage in Milan this weekend as Albanian American supermodel Elton Ilirjani, widely known as HANKO, walked the runway for Manuel Tiscareno at Infinity Fashion Week. The highly anticipated show, featuring the Tiscareno Bridal SS 2026 collection, was held on September 27th at the historic Palazzo Visconti, solidifying HANKO’s status as a global runway mainstay and underlining the evolving definitions of high fashion.
Elton Ilirjani, a prominent genderless advocate and fashion icon based in New York City, brought his distinctive presence to the couture showing. His participation marks a significant moment for Tiscareno Bridal Couture, a brand traditionally celebrated for its exquisite, custom wedding gowns.
Creative Director Manuel Tiscareño, a second-generation designer, continues to steer Tiscareno Bridal Couture to international acclaim. The brand is renowned for creating unforgettable custom designs that blend a deep appreciation for architectural lines, expertise in art history, and a keen eye for modern trends.
Under Tiscareño’s stewardship, the brand has been recognized in prestigious fashion media, including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and Vanidades, and has presented at NYFW and the Dubai Royal Gala. The Milan presentation during Infinity Fashion Week highlights the designer’s ambitious expansion beyond North American markets, as the brand now welcomes wholesale inquiries from premiere boutiques worldwide.
HANKO’s appearance in Tiscareno’s collection serves as a powerful statement on the democratization and gender fluidity of high couture. With over 12 million followers on Instagram, Ilirjani uses his platform not only as a renowned human rights activist but also to champion independent and up-and-coming designers globally.
Since beginning his modeling career in 2019, HANKO has quickly ascended to the top tier of the industry, walking for major fashion weeks in New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, and Seoul. His global itinerary includes recent appearances for designers like Jemma Russo, Naoka Tosa, and Malan Breton, demonstrating his commitment to leveraging fashion as a vehicle for art and cultural exchange.
“Elton Ilirjani’s presence transcends traditional runway casting,” noted a fashion critic observing the show. “When an icon known for genderless advocacy steps into a space traditionally defined by bridal wear, it opens up the conversation about who gets to wear couture and what luxury formal wear truly means today.”
By uniting Tiscareno’s architectural luxury with HANKO’s boundary-pushing influence, the Milan Fashion Week showing cemented the partnership as one of the season’s most dynamic collaborations, proving that the future of couture is defined by both craft and inclusivity.
About Tiscareno Bridal Couture: Tiscareno Bridal Couture offers unparalleled custom bridal experiences, creating designs infused with beauty and expertise in architectural lines and art history. Led by Creative Director Manuel Tiscareño, the brand is honored for its international recognition and commitment to timeless, unforgettable fashion.
About Elton Ilirjani (HANKO): Elton Ilirjani, known as HANKO, is an Albanian American supermodel, genderless advocate, and fashion icon based in New York City. With a massive social media following, he is a mainstay on global runways, using fashion to promote art, culture, and human rights.
Photos by Arun Nevader.
