Who is Tales Soares? Brazilian model who died after collapsing on catwalk at Sao Paulo Fashion Week
FASHIONISTAS were horrified when a model strutting down San Paulo catwalk dropped down dead.
But who was Tales Soares and what caused his sudden death? Here’s what we know so far.
Who was Tales Soares?
The 26-year-old Brazilian model was signed to Base MGT modelling agency.
He was walking for Spanish label Ocksa at San Paulo Fashion Week when he collapsed on the runway on Saturday.
He fell when he turned to leave the catwalk, some in the audience have said that they thought the fall was part of the performance – before security ran on to assist.
He was rushed to Accident and Emergency in Brazil where tragically, he was pronounced dead.
Ocksa, whose clothing he was modelling, took to Instagram to express their shock.
They wrote: “All the team of ocksa deeply regrets and is appalled by the news of the death of the model Tales.
“Our sincere condolences to Tales’ family and to the local agencies.
“We ask our friends for prayers and good energies in this moment of extreme pain.”
How did he die?
San Paulo Fashion Week have not revealed the cause of death but issued a statement which read: “SPFW has just received news of the death of model Tales Soares, who suddenly took ill during the Ocksa show.
Folha Press have reported that he had tripped on his shoelace and fell.
There were also suspicions that he had suffered an epileptic fit due to the way he fell and the fact he was foaming at the mouth.
Doctors have said that he may have suffered from an undiagnosed birth defect.
The model’s agent, Rogério Campaneli, from MGT Base agency said to FocusOn News: “This has been a shocking series of events that we’re trying hard to piece together. But everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly.
“Doctors suspect that Tales might have had a congenital problem. From videos, they believe he died on the catwalk.
“It was all so fast: he kissed a friend behind the scenes who was following him, walked out confidently as usual, then suddenly stumbled, lost his footing and fell.”
Gabrielle Gomes, Tales’ sister, said to Brazilian media, G1 she was unaware of any health problems.
Her brother had regular health check-ups and had no history of epileptic fits or fainting spells.
She said: “Me and my mother (Heloisa) spoke to Tales by video call before the parade and he said he was well and said he had just finished eating a carrot.
“We’re very scared and devastated by what happened. He was very healthy, ate healthily and exercised every day. He did cross fit and yoga.”