Here’s how HIV fiercely took over the runway at New York Fashion Week

"HIV Unwrapped" delivered a powerful message with a fierce collision of couture and science designed to shatter stigma.

Here’s how HIV fiercely took over the runway at New York Fashion Week
HIV Unwrapped

New York Fashion Week is no stranger to bold statements, but this year “HIV Unwrapped” delivered a powerful message with a fierce collision of couture and science designed to shatter stigma.

Held on Saturday, September 13th, amidst a backdrop of select AIDS Memorial Quilt panels, the HIV Unwrapped show paired emerging fashion designers from the Parsons School of Design with leading HIV medical scientists, who used the runway not only as a showcase for cutting-edge style but as a platform to confront HIV stigma head-on.

Each designer was tasked to create a custom garment inspired by the work of their partnered scientist, human resilience, and the communities most affected by HIV.

HIV Unwrapped

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The event was as timely as ever, especially in light of the current administration recently suspending portions of funding for PEPFAR, the United States’ flagship global HIV/AIDS program. While Republicans in the House of Representatives are aiming to cut $1.7 billion from domestic HIV prevention, treatment, and care programs.

The runway show was put together by +Life Media and sponsored by Gilead Sciences, with queer New York-based fashion house Tanner Fletcher, founded by designers and real-life couple Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kassell, served as the mentors to the emerging designers.

“The lab coat was our inspiration point – transformed by each designer into something bold, unexpected, and unforgettable,” said HIV activist, Emmy-winning journalist and +Life Media creator Karl Schmid, who hosted the event and previously accepted the award for Best Insta-Follow on behalf of The AIDS Memorial at the 2025 Queerties.

“And our models represent just a fraction of the diverse community of people living with HIV, carrying these stories of strength, beauty and pride. Others on the runway are not living with HIV – but you won’t know who is and who isn’t and that’s the point.”

The looks

The runway was both beautiful and thought-provoking.

Beyond the lab coat, some designers appeared to draw inspiration from the molecular structure of antiretroviral therapies, weaving geometric patterns that represented scientific progress into the garment.

While others use of bold red motifs seemed to reference the iconic red ribbon while modernizing it for a new generation.

“We loved getting to know this group of students / fellow designers, hearing about their designs, their personal stories and connecting over our shared fashion interests,” said the Tanner Fletcher team. “On top of that, we enjoyed getting to know more about this organization and being a part of an inspiring project.”

Among the famous faces in attendance were Broadway star Javier Muñoz, best known for his role in Hamilton and his longtime HIV activism, former director of CDC’s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Demetre Daskalakis, who recently spoke out against the agency’s disastrous turn under RFK Jr.’s leadership, singer Milla Jam, content creator Art Bezrukavenko, and Broadway Bares dancer Mark Mackillop, among others.

Javier Munoz
Javier Muñoz werks the runway. credit: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media
CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

Following international editions in Australia, Rwanda, and the UK, this was HIV Unwrapped’s first U.S. edition of championing the scientists, advocates, and individuals rewriting the future of HIV through fashion.

In a week known for spectacle and trends, HIV Unwrapped stood out by using the runway for something deeper: breaking silence, celebrating progress, and, hopefully, inspiring change.

To get a behind-the-scenes look at the runway show and interviews with the designers & scientists, HIV Unwrapped will stream on Hulu on November 30, in honor of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1st.

In the meantime, check out more images from HIV Unwrapped runway show and red carpet below:

Karl Schmid

Karl Schmid
credit: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

Javier Muñoz

Javier Munoz
CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

 model Tyler McNair

credit: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

Art Bezrukavenko 

Art Bezrukavenko

Demetre Daskalakis

Demetre Daskalakis
CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

model Robbie Torres 

CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

ABC News anchor Lionel Moise & Milla Jam

CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

Karl Schmid

CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

Mark Mackillop

CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

Javier Muñoz viewing panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt

CREDIT: Sam Guttell for Plus Life Media

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