HANKO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cMy mother was always singing, calling me \u2018my HANKO,\u2019\u201d said Elton.<\/span><\/p>\nShe would say: \u201c\u2018Oh, you are beautiful, you are different, you are both; you are a girl and a boy at the same time. You are more.\u2019 She said to me: \u2018Be proud of that, because you are both at the one. You are two in one.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThat gave Elton an ethos to start modeling, as her voice came into his head, saying to him, \u201cElton, go walk, because you are two in one, you can perform as the boy and as a girl.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nNow that his mother is in her last days of her life, that is why he took her name while modeling. \u201cI carry her name to honor her,\u201d said Elton.<\/span><\/p>\nIlirjani\u2019s perspective in modeling goes beyond just meager simple aesthetics. Through HANKO, he aims to tell his story that relates with audiences on a deeper level. His work challenges conventional norms and encourages self-expression, aligning with his mother\u2019s belief in authenticity and individuality. By doing so, he hopes to influence others to embrace their true selves and honor their roots, much like he has done with HANKO.<\/span><\/p>\nFashion has always been a powerful medium for storytelling, and Ilirjani leverages this platform to keep his mother\u2019s legacy alive. Each runway show, photoshoot, and public appearance as HANKO is an opportunity to celebrate her influence. His modeling work often incorporates elements that reflect his cultural heritage and personal experiences, creating a rich tapestry of narratives that honor his mother\u2019s enduring influence.<\/span><\/p>\nBeyond personal tribute, HANKO serves as a vehicle for advocacy and empowerment. Ilirjani is fervid about using his platform to support causes that uplift segregated communities and nurture equality. This focus towards social justice mirrors his mother\u2019s own values and dedication to making a difference in the world. Through HANKO, Ilirjani continues to adhere to these causes, making certain that his mother\u2019s legacy is one of self-empowerment and an enduring influence of a mother\u2019s legacy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHANKO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHis decision to honor his mother in this way demonstrates a deep respect for the past and a commitment to carrying forward her values into his future. His story serves as a powerful example of how personal drives can shape professional brands, and how deeply personal relations can form a strong foundation for success. It also highlights the importance of authenticity and transparency in building a lasting and poignant career.<\/span><\/p>\nElton recently shot a fashion film, \u201cJe Suis Mona,\u201d in Albania, which was directed by Malan Productions Cinemalan, which was produced by fashion filmmaker and designer Malan Breton. The film, which features Elton wearing Malan\u2019s clothing, is a fashion documentary demonstrating the landscape of his homeland. It was partly shot in Gjirokast\u00ebr, where the Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha was born.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cI wore white outfits in the streets to bring the idea that people should wear well, because passion is freedom,\u201d said Elton. \u201cIn dictatorships like old communist Albania, 30 years ago, people were wearing the same clothing, because they couldn\u2019t wear colors and be different. Freedom was not liked by dictators.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nThe film won two prizes; one was the Trailblazers prize at the New York City International Fashion Film Festival, and the other one was the best LGBT talent at the London Film Fashion Film Festival.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nNext year, Elton will start shooting a film that honors another woman \u2013 Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. He will star as a genderless Marilyn Monroe, writing a story that fuses her history into the storyline.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWe wanted to make a movie that recreates all of her classic outfits from the beginning of her career,\u201d said Elton. \u201cI want to revisit all the places she lived and her dream to live in Brooklyn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nAs he explains: \u201cMarilyn Monroe had an element of magic in her, which was the desire for freedom, the desire for survival. The film will show how women are still discriminated against nowadays, and how people will try to use her clothes for publicity. The conveyance of the film will be to show how natural beauty can still prevail. She still shines as a beacon of freedom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n
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