From 500 Models, Who Will Be the Face of Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026?
The journey towards the grand stage of Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026 is becoming increasingly palpable. One of its key events, the Icon Search IFW 2026, has officially advanced to the semifinal round, held at Lippo Mall Nusantara in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 February 2026. This competition serves as the initial gateway for young talents aspiring to become the face of Indonesian fashion for the upcoming year.
This year, participant enthusiasm has surged significantly. More than 500 applicants from various regions across Indonesia participated in the online selection process, which was open for approximately one month. Following administrative curation and initial assessments, 170 participants were selected to advance to the semifinals for in-person judging before a panel of experts.
From these hundreds of semifinalists, the path remains challenging. They will be further narrowed down to the top 20, before ultimately selecting the six official IFW 2026 icons—three women and three men—who will represent Indonesia Fashion Week in various promotional activities and official events.
Poppy Dharsono, President of IFW 2026, emphasised that Icon Search is more than just a typical model competition. It is designed as part of the regeneration of the national fashion industry. “Every year, we organise Icon Search for Indonesia Fashion Week. We invite talents from across the regions. This is an opportunity for anyone who meets the requirements to shine on the IFW 2026 stage,” she stated.
According to her, Indonesia Fashion Week is not merely an annual runway event but a strategic platform for designers affiliated with the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association (APPMI) to promote their creations. It also serves as a branding and marketing hub that highlights local wealth and the craftsmanship of artisans from across the archipelago.
The road to IFW 2026 will culminate in the main event, scheduled at the Jakarta International Expo (JIE) from 29 July to 2 August 2026. This is expected to be a major showcase for the development of the domestic fashion industry. Poppy added that IFW icons from previous years have demonstrated significant career progression, with many now working as professional models, actors, and presenters. “We are seeking seeds to build the Indonesian fashion industry together. Networking is in motion, and their careers are developing well,” she concluded.