Break Free NYFW Designer Showcase
Break Free NYFW is an immersive runway experience of art, design, fashion, and social issues. The show will be held during New York Fashion Week on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at 5 pm ET.
5 pm: Doors open to the venue, mocktails will be served to all
6 pm: The fashion show begins
Leading the discussion on mental health, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders within the fashion industry, Break Free NYFW is a runway show with a cause. We have invited mental health and recovery rights activists to not only walk in this show as models but to be featured designers showcasing their collections to immerse the audience within their brands’ core mission of shining a light on this pressing issue.
All of the proceeds from this showcase will go to the Break Free Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to assist those seeking treatment for a substance use disorder through attending a rehabilitation center.
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FEATURED DESIGNERS
Break Free is excited to have the following designers on the runway this season: LadyCat by Alexandra Nyman, Zephyr, Dukiri Apparel, and VALT by Ashley Alt.
About LadyCat
LadyCat is a fashion design house that was established in 2019 by indie designer, Alexandra Nyman. In February 2019, LadyCat launched their first ready-wear collection, Therapy. The inspiration for Therapy came from Nyman’s younger brother and his mental health journey since his diagnosis of bipolar disorder type ii. In an interview, Nyman went on to explain that, “[my brother] is my driving force and main inspiration in all I do. I wanted this collection to inspire others to seek help and to take their mental health seriously.”
About Alexandra Nyman
Alexandra is a fierce advocate for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. She serves as a volunteer for NAMI and AFSP and uses her platform to raise awareness on how society addresses mental health and substance use.
Alexandra is the founder of Break Free NYFW and recently launched the Break Free Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for those suffering from mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. Through their ongoing collaboration with 10,000 Beds, Break Free is able to offer scholarships for individuals suffering from substance use disorders to attend a treatment facility free of charge.
About Zephyr
Kelsey, the creative mind behind the brand Zephyr is a proudly queer, disabled, multi-talented artist, designer, and advocate who creates magic in the Pacific Northwest. Over the past year, she has focused full-time on healing from CPTSD, including discovering and understanding her dissociative disorder. As she unearthed her covert system and layers of the trauma narrative, she started making self-care products and wearable art to soothe internal facets that were feeling safe to express and heal. Now she hopes to use the healing skills and values she has developed to help others care for and express their whole selves.
About Dukiri Apparel
Dukiri Apparel is an artist inspired streetwear brand with a focus on creating unique patterns and graphic prints. Designed to appeal to creatives and those with an appreciation for art, what we offer is expressive and plays with colors to create pieces that are irreplaceable. Our mission is to build a global community around our collections with the aim of sharing creativity around the world. Our color scheme is a fun mix of brights and neutrals.
About "The Journey"
The name of our collection is The Journey. Originally, it referred to the idea of movement, but its meaning shifted over time—it now stands for the story of our brand as we continue to make memories and strive towards our goals. It reminds us that our story continues.
About VALT
VALT is a luxury clothing brand made for the socialite. Built on the foundation of positive mental health, VALT's mission is to dress women in jaw-dropping, sophisticated styles so they can lead a life of elegance and fabulousness. Working only with sustainable fabrics, each collection of robes and jumpsuits is a limited edition to ensure style exclusivity.
About Ashley Alt
VALT's designer, Ashley Alt, is a Connecticut-based writer and stylist looking to raise awareness of the positive impact dressing up has on our mindset. She started her clothing line — a vibrant collection of one-piece wonders — upon the realization that getting dressed again got her mind right again. After battling postpartum depression when her son was born, Ashley has since made it her mission to enlighten new moms and women on the power that getting dressed holds, which she intends to portray through her playful-yet-elegant pieces.
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Join Us for Mocktail Hour at 5 pm
Mocktail hour will feature drinks from your favorite mocktail brands as well as provide an opportunity for guests to gain resources on suicide prevention, harm reduction, mental health, and substance use disorders by visiting our featured non-profit partner's tables.
There will also be an opportunity to shop from local designers and vendors.
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THE OFFICIAL BREAK FREE NYFW RECEPTION
Break Free NYFW - February 11th, 2023 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm ET
LOCATION: Daylight Studios
Entrance is not guaranteed if you arrive late as space is limited.
Get to know our Models, Designers, Influencers, & the Break Free NYFW team as we celebrate another successful season. Mocktails will be served for all.
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To cover this event or to interview any of the designers, please contact Break Free NYFW publicist, Eve at team@breakfreenyfw.com, for a press pass.
