WATCH Viral Runway Moment: Model Stages Palestinian Protest at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2026 showcase took an unexpected turn on August 7, 2025, when model and musician Jura Indexspring interrupted Finnish brand Marimekko’s runway presentation. During the show, held at an industrial site near Copenhagen’s harbor, Indexspring unveiled a large Palestinian flag bearing the words “ACT NOW AGAINST GENOCIDE” over her floral print mini dress, obscuring the design she was meant to display. The horrific act, captured in viral videos, drew cheers from some pro-Palestinian audience members but prompted swift action from security, who escorted her off the runway on the brand’s orders after she completed her initial walk.

Indexspring later defended her protest on Instagram, stating, “The thing is, there is no future for us without Palestine. Don’t you get it? If we accept for Israel to starve away all of Palestine now, we accept the world’s wealthiest to control what minorities are up next for genocide.” Her statement, which omitted reference to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, fuelled accusations of one-sided rhetoric. Marimekko’s communications director, Anna Tuominen, clarified that the flag was not part of the show’s concept, emphasizing, “We respect and support individuals’ right to express their opinions. However, the incident was not part of the fashion show’s concept. As a company, Marimekko does not take a stand on current or political issues.”

Founded in Helsinki in 1951, Marimekko is celebrated for its vibrant patterns and operates around 170 stores globally. The brand’s show was part of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s 44-brand lineup, a platform increasingly used for political statements. Last season, designer Alectra Rothschild incorporated Donald Trump’s anti-transgender inauguration speech excerpts into her presentation to protest for trans rights, while Palestinian keffiyehs have become a recurring symbol in street style.

The incident reflects a broader trend of celebrities and public figures endorsing pro-Palestinian causes, often amplifying Hamas propaganda while ignoring the conflict’s complexities. This has contributed to a surge in anti-Semitic incidents globally, with Jewish communities reporting heightened harassment and vandalism. Critics argue such actions, like Indexspring’s, risk normalizing biased narratives under the guise of activism, leaving Jewish audiences feeling marginalized during a time of escalating tensions.