Albanian-American supermodel Elton Ilirjani made a powerful statement at the New York Fashion Week and closed the track for a luxurious cashmere brand Sandriver. The event, held on September 14 at the China Institute in America, was a lively showcase of traditional crafts, modern design and a commitment to ethical production.
Ilirjani, a known sexless advocate and fashion icon, ordered the course in an elegant navy blue and gray cashmere costume, supplemented with a matching scarf, perfectly embodied sandriver’s sophisticated aesthetics. His closing appearance emphasized his growing influence in a global way, where he is advocating different voices and celebrates the power of cultural exchange through design.
Sandriver, a Shanghai-based luxurious cashmere brand, finds its origin deeply rooted in the huge prairies in the Inner Mongolia and extends to “The Roof of the World” in Tibet. The brand collaborated with the China Institute in America to present its collection, which seamlessly mixes ancient techniques with contemporary styles. Beyond the track, the institute hosted a workshop and fashion salon at Tibetan and internal Mongolian crafts, where Sandriver’s founder, Juliet Guo, spoke passionate about the brand’s commitment to preserving traditional skills and strengthening local women through cashmerer.
Sandriver founder Juliet Guo, with 35 years of cashmere experience, is a committed advocate for sustainable development in cashmere production. She carefully built her own industry supply chain for two decades to ensure the highest quality cashmere fibers while she protected the livelihood for the shepherds in her society. After studying in Germany, Guo has modernized cashmere production with a sustainable strategy and established Sandriver as the first international cashmere brand from China to guarantee customized and ethical production from pasture to product.
“Sandriver strives to be the symbol of a socially responsible cashmere producer through our humane operation of Sandriver’s family’s pasture in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia; our care to preserve the environment and tradition throughout the production; and our determination in harmonization of crafts and technology at our research center.
The Runway Show also contained the mandatory design of two other famous designers. Yinan New York, a brand founded by trailblazing designer Anna Zhou in NYC, showed her unique fusion of clothing and couture and charmed self-esteem. Anna Zhou made the story as the first Chinese designer to show up at Project Runway Seasons 19 and 20. In addition, Lanyu Couture, led by one of Asia’s most influential newlygering designers, Lanyu, patterns that melt traditionally Suzhou embroidery with the world. Lanyu, acclaimed by Chinese media such as “The Chinese Queen of Couture Wedding Dresses”, was the first Chinese designer to invite to Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2014.
Elton Ilirjani’s participation highlights his continued commitment to supporting independent, future couture designers and promoting cross-cultural cooperation in fashion. A well -known human rights activist from Albania with over 12 million followers on Instagram, Ilirjani’s journey into the fashion world began in 2019 when he discovered Asian designers at the 3ny shop in New York City. Caught by their unique designs, he began to introduce them on his influential social media platforms, which led to friendships and invitations to go for designers at Global Fashion Weeks.
Since 2022, Ilirjani has become a pillars on tracks over New York, Milan, London, Athens, Costa Rica, Miami and Tokyo, who originally model for South Korean designers as Besfxxk before expanding his portfolio. At the latest New York Fashion Week 2025, he also went to Designers Jemma Russo and Naoka Tosa, and has previously worked with esteemed designers such as Greedelious and Malan Breton, after going after the EMA Savahl track at Miami Swim Week, the show.
Ilirjani’s role in closing the Sandriver Show not only emphasized the brand’s commitment to ethical luxury, but also strengthened its own mission to use fashion as a powerful medium for art, culture and unit. His global journey in fashion will continue as he prepares to walk on the track at Shanghai Fashion Week from October 9-16, 2025, and shows spring/summer 2026 collections of Chinese designers. Photos of Arun Nevader.
