Albanian American supermodel Elton Ilirjani, known globally by his runway name HANKO, brought his signature high-impact presence to the London Fashion Week SS26 calendar, walking for the fiercely independent and experimental brand, Winruit.

Ilirjani, a fixture on international runways and a prominent genderless advocate, lent his support to Winruit’s latest collection, which showcased the brand’s dedication to unique, handmade designs that defy traditional gender norms.

Winruit: An Exploration of Archetypes

Winruit, founded in 2021 by multidisciplinary creative Jewel Kaye, stands out in the London fashion scene for its deeply personal and experimental approach. Kaye, a member of the collective “The Boys Don’t Cry,” utilizes creativity as an essential outlet, having refined his garment-making skills through non-traditional mentorship in New York and extensive experimentation in London.

While Winruit often appears within the menswear category, Kaye designs each garment without gender in mind. The brand’s aesthetic is a rich exploration of subcultures and associated mythologies, focusing heavily on freedom of expression.

The SS26 collection highlighted Winruit’s defining juxtaposition: rugged industrial construction finding harmony with hyper jubilant swipes of colour and softer, more sumptuous textures. Each piece presented on the runway was a unique, one-of-one garment handmade in London, underscoring the brand’s commitment to bespoke craftsmanship.

HANKO’s Commitment to Independent Design

The partnership between Ilirjani and Winruit is aligned with the model’s mission to champion emerging and independent couture designers worldwide. Based in New York City, Elton Ilirjani has built a career not only as a global catwalk mainstay but also as a renowned human rights activist, leveraging his platform of over 12 million followers on Instagram.

Ilirjani’s transition into fashion began in 2019, driven by an appreciation for niche, artistic design—specifically Asian designers found in boutiques like 3NY in New York. By genuinely wearing and tagging these designers, he built connections that quickly led to runway invitations, starting with South Korean designers like BESFXXK.

Since 2022, Ilirjani has maintained a grueling international schedule, walking for designers across New York, Milan, Paris, London, Athens, Costa Rica, Miami, and Tokyo Fashion Weeks.

Most recently, the model walked for Jemma Russo and Naoka Tosa at New York Fashion Week 2025, and graced the Ema Savahl runway show at Miami Swim Week. His support extends to established names like Greedilous and Malan Breton, but his appearance at Winruit underscores his dedication to supporting the cutting edge of global fashion.

Elton Ilirjani views his participation in these international shows as a powerful way to demonstrate how art and culture, channeled through fashion, can effectively bring people together. His turn on the Winruit runway at LFW SS26 served as a perfect testament to this philosophy, merging the model’s global advocacy with the brand’s boundary-pushing, genderless ethos. Photos by Arun Nevader/