Love Island USA’s Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez Makes Runway Debut at NYFW

A hot new bombshell has entered the show.

Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez turned heads at New York Fashion Week with his first runway show for Trapstar London’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection on September 16th.

Former *Love Island USA* contestant, who finished fourth on season seven with his ex-girlfriend Iris Kendall, appeared wearing a blue tracksuit with a black jersey. He finished the outfit with a black cap and small gold earrings.

I’ve been noticing a fun trend – reality stars are making their presence known at Fashion Week! It wasn’t just one contestant, either. Olandria Carthen, who was a runner-up alongside Nicolas Vansteenbergheo on the latest season of the show, actually made her runway debut at the Sergio Hudson show on September 12th. It’s exciting to see faces we know from TV branching out into the fashion world!

Wearing black shorts and a brown leopard-print outfit, the woman known as “Bama Barbie” walked the red carpet. Twenty-four-year-old Nic cheered her on from the front row, filming her as she passed. Standing beside him was Serena Page, the winner of season six, who looked impressed.

Orlandia, 27, has been loving every minute of her first-ever fashion week.

She told *Vanity Fair* on September 15th that she’s been having a wonderful time. She described the surreal experience of being recognized and approached for photos at events, and expressed her joy at being embraced by the fashion world.

I’ve always been passionate about fashion, modeling, beauty, and makeup. Right now, that’s what people know me for, so I’m really focusing on those areas.

Okay, so the Luar show was EVERYTHING! Not only did Olandria and Pepe finally walk the runway, but can we TALK about Iris?! She and TJ Palma were holding hands – HOLDING HANDS! – it was the cutest thing ever. I mean, she did break up with Pepe after that season seven reunion, but honestly, Iris deserves all the happiness, and TJ seems amazing. I’m officially shipping them SO hard!

Iris, 25, had previously shared hints about a new relationship, posting photos of them holding hands and sharing affectionate glances. But TJ, 23, officially confirmed their romance with an Instagram post documenting their time at New York Fashion Week, playfully captioning the photos, “Last night’s recoupling.”

For Iris’ part, she commented with a heart emoji, “ohhhhh teeeejayyy.”

To see who else attended New York Fashion Week, keep reading.

At Outcast Clothing’s NYFW after-party with Paper magazine on Sept. 15.

At the Bronx and Banco Spring/Summer 2026 runway show on Sept. 15.

At the Coach Spring 2026 runway show on Sept. 15.

At the COS Autumn/Winter 2025 runway show on Sept. 14.

On September 13th, GUIZIO hosted an after-party during New York Fashion Week at The Refinery at Domino, with support from Puma, Casamigos, Magnum Ice Cream, and La Croix.