Icon Search IFW 2026 Was Overrun by 500 Applicants, Career as a Model is Increasingly Targeted by the Young Generation

JAKARTA - The world of modeling is now increasingly sought after by the younger generation because it offers a wide and dynamic career prospects. The development of the fashion industry, the growth of digital campaigns, and the brand's need for new talent make the profession of a model not only to appear on stage, but also open up opportunities in the advertising, editorial, and entertainment industries.

The talent search event also became a gateway for young people who want to pursue a professional career in this field. The enthusiasm was quite visible in the Icon Search semifinal event leading up to the 2026 Indonesia Fashion Week which took place at Lippo Mall Nusantara, Jakarta, Thursday, February 12, 2026.

This program is part of a series of events initiated by the Indonesian Fashion Designer Entrepreneurs Association (APPMI) to find new icons for the Indonesian fashion industry.

This year, more than 500 applicants from various regions registered through an online selection process that was opened for about a month. After going through the administrative curation and initial assessment stages, as many as 170 participants were declared to have passed to the semi-final round and participated in the direct judging.

From this number, the committee will screen it into the top 20 before finally choosing the six official IFW 2026 icons consisting of three women and three men.

President of IFW 2026, Poppy Dharsono, emphasized that Icon Search is a routine agenda that is part of the regeneration of national fashion talent.

"Every year we hold Icon Search for Indonesia Fashion Week. We invite talents from various regions. This is an opportunity for anyone, especially the younger generation who meet the requirements to appear on the IFW 2026 stage," he said.

According to Poppy, IFW is not only a fashion show, but also a promotional, branding, and marketing platform for APPMI member designers who promote local wisdom and the work of Indonesian craftsmen.

He added that the impact of this event can be seen from the development of previous icons who have managed to embark on a wider career in the creative industry.

"We are looking for seeds to build an Indonesian fashion industry together. Networking is going on, and their careers are developing well. Every year, not a few of the Icon Search graduates have brilliant careers in the fashion and entertainment industries," he said.

Through this event, which is also a series of IFW 2026, Poppy also highlights the importance of strengthening the domestic market in the midst of global economic challenges, especially in terms of the quality of fashion products from within the country.

"We have to be the masters of our own market. If our products are good and meet market standards, they will definitely be sought after by our own people," he said.

The Indonesia Fashion Week 2026 is scheduled to take place at the Jakarta International Convention Center from July 29 to August 2, 2026.

Through this event, APPMI hopes that the national fashion industry ecosystem will be more solid, while opening up wider space for young people to pursue careers in the world of modeling and fashion in a sustainable manner.