OIFW Honors Pulse: Remembering When Our Runway Became a Tribute
Ten years later, Orlando International Fashion Week reflects on a powerful night of remembrance, unity, and healing.
Ten years ago, Orlando changed forever. And in the months that followed, fashion became one of the many ways our community gathered, remembered, and began to heal.
On June 12, 2016, our community was forever changed by the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub. Today, and always, we remember and honor the lives of the 49 Angels, stand with the families and survivors, and continue to show the world what it means to be Orlando United.
As Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) reflects on the 10-year anniversary of Pulse, we pause to honor the victims, survivors, families, friends, first responders, and the LGBTQ+ community whose strength continues to inspire our city and beyond.
On November 8, 2016 (see details on Spectrum News 13), OIFW had the honor of helping bring fashion, purpose, and healing together through Orlando’s One Fashion Show, a special Pulse benefit fashion show held on International Drive. The event placed Pulse survivors and staff members on the runway, many in one of their first public appearances since the tragedy, symbolizing strength, unity, and healing for the Central Florida community.
That evening was more than a fashion show. It was a tribute.
Josh Garcia, who served as Pulse Orlando’s Executive Assistant, shared that the vision was to bring survivors together in Orlando in a meaningful way and show unity. He described the show as an emotional journey, with the music reflecting the pain felt in the beginning and moving toward a place of pride, strength, and togetherness. For Garcia, the evening was about keeping the 49 alive and showing the world that Orlando remained prideful and united.
Survivors, staff members, designers, models, artists, and community members came together to honor the 49 and celebrate the strength of those who continued forward. One of the most touching moments of the event came when first responders involved in the tragedy took to the runway in a powerful show of support and solidarity. The runway became a space for healing, visibility, and unity. The music, the garments, and the energy of the night told a story of grief, hope, pride, and the power of community.
“OIFW has always been about more than fashion. Our mission has always been to connect with the community, create spaces of belonging, and use our platform to support meaningful change. That night reminded us that fashion can do more than inspire style. It can help people feel seen, supported, and united.” — Dr. Jessica Henlon, Co-Founder, OIFW
Garcia also reflected on the joy of seeing the models smile, come together, and help bring the show to life. That joy mattered. It showed that remembrance could hold both sorrow and strength, and that healing could happen in community.
In an interview with Nickolas Wolf before the show, model Thiago Silva shared that the evening was for the Pulse survivors and victims, calling it “a great event for a great cause.” He spoke about the importance of bringing people together and described the night as a reflection of Orlando United, especially for a community so deeply affected by the tragedy.
The setting added to the meaning of the evening. Held outdoors on International Drive, the show created a powerful visual reminder that even in grief, Orlando continued to shine.
Designer brand Alienphant also captured the spirit of the evening beautifully, sharing that the collection was inspired by memorials created by people from Orlando and around the world. The models included survivors and friends of loved ones affected by the tragedy. It was an emotional and beautiful night filled with love, healing, and the message that love wins.
For Orlando International Fashion Week, that show remains one of the most meaningful moments in our history. Fashion has always been more than fabric, lights, and the runway. At its best, fashion tells the truth of a moment. It reflects culture. It creates space. It gives people a way to be seen, heard, and honored.
That night, fashion helped carry a message our city needed: we remember, we stand together, and nothing will keep our community down.
As we mark 10 years since Pulse, we continue to keep the 49 alive in our hearts and in our work. We honor the survivors and the strength it takes to heal publicly and privately. We honor the families who continue to carry love and memory forward. We honor the LGBTQ+ community, whose joy, pride, and resilience remain a vital part of Orlando’s identity.
Orlando International Fashion Week was founded on the belief that fashion can transcend boundaries, celebrate diversity, and bring people together through art, culture, and purpose. The Pulse benefit show reminded us why that mission matters.
The City Beautiful is beautiful not only because of its skyline, tourism, or creativity. It is beautiful because of its people. Because when our city was hurting, Orlando showed up with love.
Ten years later, we still remember.
We still honor.
We still stand united.
Love wins.
