Taking place on 24–25 October 2026, The House of Fashion will combine runway presentations, national media coverage and professional development, building on the event’s growing presence in Portugal’s regional fashion landscape.
As Europe’s autumn fashion season moves beyond the major runway capitals, Portugal is preparing to host the latest edition of The House of Fashion. Scheduled for 24–25 October 2026 in the Porto area, the event will feature 12 participating brands in a two-day programme that combines fashion presentations with training and networking.
Produced by IMC Models Agency and powered by Paris Runway Official, this year’s edition marks an expansion of the event’s format. Alongside the runway shows, organisers will introduce The House of Fashion Open Day, an initiative dedicated to photography, education and career development. The addition broadens the event’s scope, bringing the presentation of new collections together with practical activities aimed at supporting emerging talent.
Twelve Brands Set to Present Their Collections
The runway programme on 24 October will feature Conceição Leite, Micaela Oliveira, Escola Profissional do Ave, Lezon Atelier, Nortada, Relish, Gaudi, VDR, ORASCI, Original Ireland, Elsa Fairy and By Vel. The lineup spans Portuguese and international labels, independent designers and fashion education, offering a range of creative approaches and design perspectives.
The presentations will begin at 6pm, with the evening’s programme placing the participating collections at the centre of an event expected to attract attention from Portugal’s national media.
According to the organisers, Porto Canal will provide television coverage, while Portuguese publications Nova Gente, VIP and TV 7 Dias are expected to attend. The guest list is also anticipated to include celebrities and television personalities associated with SIC, TVI and AXN, extending the event’s reach into the country’s wider entertainment and media landscape.
For participating labels, the anticipated coverage offers access to audiences beyond conventional fashion channels. In a competitive industry where emerging brands often struggle to secure consistent press attention, television and editorial exposure can contribute to wider recognition, particularly for designers looking to establish themselves in new markets.
A Second Day Dedicated to Professional Development
The House of Fashion Open Day, scheduled for 25 October, introduces a practical dimension to the programme, with activities aimed at aspiring and established models, photographers and emerging creative professionals.
The initiative will include professional photoshoots, advanced runway coaching, commercial and catalogue posing, social media content creation and self-makeup techniques. Photography and portfolio development will be central to the day, giving participants experience in professional production environments and the opportunity to develop material for future casting, editorial and commercial work.
The programme reflects the increasingly varied demands of fashion careers.
Models are now expected to work across runway, editorial, advertising and digital assignments, while photographers and other creatives must demonstrate technical expertise and the ability to collaborate across different production formats. For those entering the industry, developing a credible portfolio and gaining practical experience remain essential steps towards securing professional work.
By incorporating these activities into the event, IMC Models Agency is extending its focus beyond the runway, addressing the preparation and specialist skills required by the professionals who contribute to fashion production.
Fashion’s Contribution to Regional Economies
The House of Fashion has established institutional ties with the Municipality of Santo Tirso, connecting the project to the region’s wider cultural and economic development. According to the organisers, Vice-President Nuno Linhares and Councillor Dr Vera Araújo have supported the initiative, recognising its contribution to regional visibility, tourism and local business activity.
A previous edition attracted over 1,000 attendees to Santo Tirso, according to IMC Models Agency, drawing designers, models, photographers, media representatives and visitors to the municipality. The influx generated demand for accommodation, restaurants, transport and other local services, illustrating how fashion events can stimulate economic activity beyond the creative sector.
Northern Portugal has long been central to the country’s textile and apparel industries, with an established network of manufacturers, specialist producers and fashion businesses. Porto’s close ties to this industrial heritage make it a natural setting for The House of Fashion, connecting contemporary design with the expertise and infrastructure that underpin Portugal’s fashion sector. The event also brings an international dimension to the city’s fashion calendar, attracting designers, industry professionals and media attention while contributing to the local creative economy.
The 2026 edition continues to build on these relationships through partnerships with ACP – Associação dos Cabeleireiros de Portugal, IEFP – Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional, and Zélia Teixeira Perucas. Their involvement reflects the range of specialist disciplines that contribute to fashion production, from hair and beauty services to vocational training and technical support. Together with the institutional backing of Santo Tirso Municipality, these partnerships demonstrate the event’s connection to the regional business community and its efforts to bring different sectors of the fashion industry into closer collaboration.
Building a Broader Fashion Platform
The expansion of The House of Fashion reflects a wider consideration for independent fashion events: how to create value for participants beyond the immediate impact of a runway presentation. For designers, access to media and industry audiences remains important, but the longer-term benefits depend on how that attention translates into commercial relationships, professional development and continued engagement.
The October edition brings these priorities into a single programme. Its runway presentations provide a public showcase for participating brands, while the Open Day introduces activities designed to strengthen the professional capabilities of models, photographers and other creatives. The involvement of institutional and industry partners adds a regional dimension, linking the event to the businesses and organisations that contribute to Portugal’s fashion economy.
With its expanded format, The House of Fashion is seeking to establish a more comprehensive role within the country’s fashion calendar, one that connects creative presentation with the practical and economic structures supporting the industry. As the event prepares for its October return, its development illustrates how regional fashion initiatives can contribute to a wider professional ecosystem while creating new opportunities for the talent involved.
The House of Fashion 2026
Dates: 24–25 October 2026
Location: Porto, Portugal
Runway presentations: 24 October, from 6pm
Open Day: 25 October
Produced by: IMC Models Agency
Powered by: Paris Runway Official
Institutional support: Municipality of Santo Tirso
Industry partners: ACP — Associação dos Cabeleireiros de Portugal; IEFP — Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional; Zélia Teixeira Perucas
Official website: The House of Fashion
Instagram: @imc.models
*Images Courtesy of The House of Fashion / IMC Models Agency/ Paris Runway Official
