The Model & Photographer Meetup: Region One Gallery
Event Day
Fashion, Photography & Community
On May 29, 2026, Region One Gallery welcomed photographers, models, designers, content creators, and creative professionals from across the Borderplex for the latest edition of The Model & Photographer Meetup, a creative platform developed by PO Studios that has continued to redefine what a networking event can become.
Since its inception in 2022, the meetup has evolved into far more than a gathering of photographers and models. Each edition is conceived as a complete creative production—bringing together fashion, photography, production, and community through carefully curated experiences that encourage collaboration at every level.
The High Fashion edition represented another step in that evolution.
Hosted inside Region One Gallery in Downtown El Paso, the evening transformed the industrial gallery into an immersive editorial environment where runway presentations, portrait photography, live production, and creative networking existed seamlessly within one thoughtfully designed experience.
For one evening, the gallery became more than an exhibition space.
It became a working fashion production.
Building a Creative Community
What began in 2022 as a networking event has steadily evolved into one of the Borderplex’s leading creative platforms, bringing together photographers, models, designers, brands, artists, and creative professionals through thoughtfully curated productions.
The Model & Photographer Meetup was created with a simple goal: to make collaboration more accessible.
For photographers, it offers the opportunity to meet new talent while creating editorial work in professionally produced environments. For models, it provides access to portfolio-building opportunities, industry connections, and runway experience. Designers are given a platform to present new collections, while businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs find opportunities to connect with the people shaping the region’s creative industry.
Rather than separating creative disciplines, the meetup intentionally brings them together under one roof.
Every conversation has the potential to become a future campaign. Every introduction can lead to a new collaboration. Every edition creates an environment where ideas move beyond social media and into real creative partnerships.
That philosophy continues to shape every Model & Photographer Meetup.
From the event...
Photos by Po Studios – Photographers: Nouf Muhsin (Official Photographer), Montserrat Villarreal, Valeria Hernandez, Vanessa Hernandez
An Evening at Region One Gallery
For the High Fashion edition, Region One Gallery was transformed into an immersive environment where editorial photography, live runway presentations, and creative networking coexisted within a single production.
Guests were welcomed into an industrial gallery reimagined through professional lighting, contemporary fashion, and carefully considered production design. Throughout the evening, photographers collaborated with models, creators produced content, and attendees connected with fellow professionals before the gallery gradually transitioned into a live runway experience.
As conversations filled the room, cameras documented every interaction while anticipation quietly built toward the evening’s centerpiece—the runway presentation.
The Runway
As the evening progressed, conversations gradually gave way to anticipation.
Guests made their way toward the runway, cameras were raised, final adjustments were made backstage, and the atmosphere inside Region One Gallery shifted. The networking that had defined the first half of the evening gave way to a collective focus as the lights dimmed and the first notes of music echoed throughout the gallery.
What had moments before been a creative gathering was now a live editorial production.
Models emerged from beneath the gallery, ascending the central staircase before stepping onto the runway. The unconventional entrance became part of the storytelling itself, revealing each look gradually rather than all at once and creating a cinematic introduction that reflected the evening’s emphasis on fashion as an experience.
Every transition was intentional. Lighting, music, and movement worked together to guide the audience through two distinct creative visions while allowing photographers to document each collection from every angle.
Rather than simply presenting garments, the runway invited viewers to experience the dialogue between fashion, architecture, production, and visual storytelling.
Featured Models
The runway was brought to life by an exceptional group of models whose professionalism, preparation, and presence transformed each designer’s vision into a live editorial presentation.
Clothing Stories
Opening the runway presentation was Clothing Stories, led by Victor Del Castillo.
Known throughout El Paso for its thoughtfully curated approach to fashion, Clothing Stories presented a collection rooted in timeless silhouettes and editorial styling. The looks embraced versatility while maintaining a refined aesthetic that complemented the industrial setting of Region One Gallery.
As the first models stepped onto the runway, the gallery was immersed in deep red lighting while overhead illumination disappeared almost entirely. The dramatic atmosphere emphasized texture, movement, and silhouette, allowing every look to become part of the visual narrative established throughout the evening.
For photographers positioned along the runway, the presentation offered opportunities to capture dynamic movement, layered styling, and expressive portraiture in an environment designed specifically for editorial imagery.
The collection established the tone for the evening, demonstrating how carefully curated fashion can transform a runway presentation into a complete visual experience.
Featured Designs
VALCO by Valeria Coa
The evening continued with a presentation by fashion designer Valeria Coa, founder of VALCO.
Originally from Ciudad Juárez, Coa launched her brand in 2017 and has since established herself as one of Mexico’s recognized designers. Throughout her career, she has dressed internationally acclaimed artists including Aislinn Derbez, Mariana Treviño, Olga Tañón, Bárbara de Regil, Andrea Meza, Samadhi Zendejas, Ha*Ash, and Paulina Rubio. Her work has earned international recognition, ranking among the Top 3 designers during the Grammy and Billboard awards season for three consecutive years.
With boutiques in both Polanco, Mexico City, and Ciudad Juárez, VALCO continues to bridge regional creativity with an international perspective while appearing in publications including Vogue, Hola, and Cosmopolitan.
As the second presentation began, the visual atmosphere transformed once again.
The red tones that defined the first collection faded into crisp white lighting while expansive dotted LED visuals illuminated the gallery. The shift created a completely different mood, emphasizing clean lines, architectural silhouettes, and the craftsmanship behind each garment.
Every look reflected VALCO’s signature balance between structure and elegance, inviting photographers to focus on tailoring, movement, and detail. The collection demonstrated how contemporary Mexican fashion continues to influence conversations well beyond the runway, blending technical precision with creative expression.
Behind the Scenes
While guests experienced an evening of fashion and creativity, the production had begun long before the first attendee arrived.
Preparations started during rehearsal as models, designers, and the PO Studios production team gathered at Region One Gallery to begin fittings, organize runway looks, and finalize the flow of the presentation.
Each participating model was photographed, fitted for their assigned garments, and paired with designers before runway rehearsals began. Under the guidance of modeling coach Amanda Camacho, participants practiced runway pacing, stage direction, lineup order, and transitions to ensure every presentation flowed seamlessly on event night.
By the time rehearsal concluded, every model, designer, and production team member understood their role within the larger production.
On event day, the gallery’s lower level became a fully operational backstage environment.
Garments were steamed and prepared for the runway while final styling adjustments were made moments before each presentation. Makeup artists completed touch-ups, designers reviewed every look one final time, and models moved through the backstage space as the runway drew closer.
The backstage area also became a creative workspace in its own right. Studio lighting, seamless backdrops, and dedicated content areas allowed designers and models to document their work before stepping onto the runway, extending the event’s editorial vision beyond the audience-facing presentation.
While much of that work remained unseen by attendees, it formed the foundation upon which the evening unfolded.
Production
One of the defining elements of the High Fashion edition was its production.
Professional lighting, sound, and visual presentation transformed Region One Gallery into an immersive runway environment while maintaining the character that made the venue unique.
Production was led by Mauricio Castillo and the team at dB Audio, whose experience spans concerts, festivals, and touring productions for artists including Kevin Kaarl, Siddhartha, Beto Cuevas, Molotov, Clave Especial, Kaskade, and Brightside Music Festival.
Rather than treating production as a technical necessity, lighting and sound became creative tools that shaped the emotional rhythm of the evening.
Every lighting transition reflected the identity of each collection. Every musical cue guided the audience from one chapter of the presentation to the next.
Complementing the production was DJ Facio, whose carefully curated soundtrack carried guests through the evening—from the energy of the networking reception to the intensity of the runway presentations and the conversations that continued long after the final walk.
Together, production and music elevated the experience beyond a traditional fashion event, demonstrating how technical execution can become an essential part of visual storytelling.
The People Behind the Production
While the runway served as the evening’s centerpiece, The Model & Photographer Meetup has always been defined by the people who make it possible.
Every edition is the result of months of planning, creative direction, production meetings, fittings, rehearsals, and collaboration between local businesses, artists, production companies, students, and volunteers who believe in creating opportunities for the Borderplex’s creative community.
The High Fashion edition continued that tradition, bringing together partners whose expertise shaped every aspect of the experience—from the venue itself to production, hospitality, fashion, and media coverage.
Region One Gallery
At the heart of this edition was Region One Gallery, an iconic creative venue in Downtown El Paso owned by Ricardo Fernandez.
Known for its industrial architecture, expansive exhibition spaces, and distinctive character, Region One Gallery has become one of the city’s most recognizable destinations for contemporary art, cultural programming, fashion productions, and creative events. Its historic atmosphere and adaptable layout have made it a gathering place where artists, entrepreneurs, and creative organizations can transform ideas into immersive experiences.
For The Model & Photographer Meetup, the gallery became far more than a venue.
Its open floor plan allowed editorial portrait stations, networking spaces, and a professionally produced runway to coexist within one environment, while its lower level naturally evolved into backstage production headquarters. The venue’s architecture became an essential part of the creative direction, reinforcing the evening’s editorial aesthetic and demonstrating how thoughtfully designed spaces can shape the way creative communities experience fashion, photography, and collaboration.
Production Partners
Professional production played a defining role throughout the evening.
Lighting, sound, visuals, and music worked together to transform Region One Gallery into an immersive runway environment while preserving the authenticity of the space itself.
Leading production was dB Audio, under the direction of Mauricio Castillo. With a portfolio that includes productions for Kevin Kaarl, Siddhartha, Beto Cuevas, Molotov, Kaskade, and Brightside Music Festival, the company brought large-scale concert and touring experience into a community-focused creative production.
Every lighting transition, audio cue, and visual element was intentionally designed to complement the runway presentations while enhancing the atmosphere experienced by guests throughout the evening.
Supporting the production was Studio 4, led by Ricardo Marquez. As a longtime creative partner of PO Studios, Studio 4 continues to contribute production expertise and resources that help elevate each edition of The Model & Photographer Meetup. Through ongoing collaboration, both teams continue expanding opportunities for creatives across the Borderplex while investing in the growth of the local creative industry.
Music for the evening was curated by DJ Facio (Raul Facio), whose soundtrack guided guests through every chapter of the experience—from the energy of the networking reception to the intensity of the runway presentations and the conversations that continued long after the final walk.
Fashion Collaborators
Fashion has always served as one of the driving forces behind The Model & Photographer Meetup.
This edition featured runway presentations by Clothing Stories, led by Victor Del Castillo, alongside VALCO, the internationally recognized fashion label founded by Valeria Coa.
Together, both collections demonstrated two distinct approaches to contemporary fashion while providing photographers with dynamic opportunities to capture movement, craftsmanship, and editorial storytelling.
Complementing the runway presentations, House of Heels, led by Tania Barajas, completed each look through carefully selected footwear styling, reinforcing the visual identity of every collection presented throughout the evening.
Backstage Hospitality
Behind every successful production is a team working long before guests arrive and continuing well after the final runway walk.
Keeping that team moving throughout the day was El Beso Taqueria, led by Raul Almanza.
Known throughout El Paso for authentic Mexican street food and bold, vibrant flavors, El Beso has become a local favorite through signature dishes including its renowned quesabirria tacos and the Quesabirria Picza. With locations serving both the East and West sides of the city, the restaurant has built a reputation for creating an experience rooted in culture, hospitality, and community.
Throughout rehearsals, production setup, fittings, and backstage preparation, El Beso provided meals for models, designers, media teams, and production staff, ensuring the people working behind the scenes could remain focused on bringing the evening’s creative vision to life.
Media Marketing Society
One of the most rewarding aspects of this edition was the collaboration with the Media Marketing Society at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Working alongside the PO Studios team, students gained firsthand experience supporting a large-scale creative production while contributing to event operations, guest experience, media coverage, and content creation throughout the evening.
Their participation reflects one of the core goals of The Model & Photographer Meetup: creating opportunities where emerging creatives can gain real-world experience alongside industry professionals.
Media Marketing Society
Mariana Alvillar
Ana Arellano
Alexia de la Torre
Sylvia Hernandez
Valeria Martínez
Fernanda Maynez-Cuellar
Paulina Olivares
Carolina Romero
Featured Photographers
The evening was documented by an outstanding group of photographers whose unique perspectives captured both the energy of the runway and the collaborative spirit that defines The Model & Photographer Meetup.
Featured Photographers
Alex Rodriguez (ghostdriver73)
Jorge Flores (psyduck1)
Jose G. Muniz Jr. (muniz_photografy)
Willie Medina (nosho_photography)
PO Studios Team Highlight
This event was brought to life by the dedication, creativity, and collaboration of the PO Studios team.
By the Numbers
The impact of The Model & Photographer Meetup extends well beyond event night. Across digital platforms and in-person engagement, the High Fashion edition continued to expand the reach of the creative community while connecting thousands of people through fashion, photography, and collaboration.
In the weeks surrounding the event, PO Studios reached 58,000+ accounts, generated more than 50,000+ Instagram Story views, and continues to maintain an audience of 300,000+ monthly views across its digital platforms. These results reflect not only the excitement surrounding this edition, but also the continued growth of The Model & Photographer Meetup as one of the Borderplex’s leading creative platforms.
The complete post-event analytics report, including detailed performance metrics, attendance data, social media insights, engagement, and community impact, is available below.
Looking Ahead
Every edition of The Model & Photographer Meetup adds another chapter to a growing creative community built on collaboration, opportunity, and shared ambition.
Since 2022, the event has grown from a small gathering into one of the Borderplex’s leading creative platforms, bringing together photographers, models, designers, brands, students, entrepreneurs, and artists through thoughtfully produced experiences that celebrate the power of collaboration.
The High Fashion edition demonstrated once again that meaningful creative communities are built not only through talent, but through the willingness to create together, support one another, and invest in the future of the region’s creative industry.
As the lights dimmed and conversations continued long after the runway had ended, one thing remained clear: The Model & Photographer Meetup is no longer simply an event.
It is a community—and that community continues to grow with every edition.
Editorial Credits
Creative Director
Vivian Serrano
Editorial Team
Valeria Hernandez
Montserrat Villarreal
Copy Editing
PO Studios Editorial Team