Male model Tales Soares dies after collapsing on catwalk at Sao Paulo Fashion Week

A male model has died after he collapsed on the catwalk in front of a horrified crowd, with some people assuming it was part of an “act”.

A Brazilian model has died after he collapsed on the catwalk during a fashion show.

The tragic incident occurred on the final day of the Sao Paulo Fashion Week, organisers said.

Model Tales Soares collapsed during Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Brazil. He died after being taken ill while participating. Picture: AP

The Brazilian model is only 26 years old.

“SPFW has just received the news of the death of model Tales Soares, who suddenly took ill during the Ocksa show,” the organisation said in a statement, without giving a cause of death.

The 26-year-old model fell while turning to leave the runway.

Shocked fashionistas rushed from their seats after Tales Soares seemed to trip over his shoelaces, with some reportedly assuming it was part of an “act” during Saturday’s show for fashion brand Ocksa.

The model fainted on the runway during the Ocksa fashion show. Picture: Getty

Soares is aided by medics during the Ocksa fashion show. Picture: Getty

Medics immediately attended to him in front of horrified onlookers, according to local media reports.

He started foaming at the mouth as paramedics tended to him on the catwalk before rushing him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Medics rush to help during the Ocksa fashion show. Picture: Getty

Daily Folha de S. Paulo reported that Soares tripped on his shoelace and fell. According to the paper, people in the crowd initially thought his fall was part of a performance.

Tales Soares is taken from the catwalk by paramedics after he collapsed. Picture: AP

“We offer our sincere condolences to Tales’ family,” it said, while label Ocksa said on Instagram its entire team was “shocked” by the death of Soares, who was signed to Base MGT modelling agency.

The model — who also went by the name Tales Cotta — was praised for his “exemplary behavior” in a tribute on Instagram by his agency, Base MGT.

“Tales never presented or complained about health problems,” the statement insisted.

“He had a healthy diet (he was a vegetarian), did not use illegal substances and was in full condition to participate in the parade. And we ask for respect at this moment of deep sadness.”

Sao Paulo Fashion Week also posted a tribute on Instagram.

“May God welcome you with open arms! Life is definitely a catwalk, we’re just passing through!” it reads, calling the news “very sad!”

Soares has more than 20,000 followers on Instagram.

Originally published as Male model Tales Soares dies after collapsing on catwalk at Sao Paulo Fashion Week