Recovery on the Runway is a New York–based advocacy fashion showcase produced by the Break Free Foundation during New York Fashion Week. Rather than focusing on trends alone, the show places mental health, recovery, and lived experience at the center of the runway—telling the stories behind the clothes and the people wearing them.

Founded on the belief that creativity, recovery, and advocacy belong in fashion’s most visible spaces, Break Free uses the runway as a platform for healing, visibility, and real human connection. Each season brings together designers, activists, and creatives who challenge stigma and redefine what resilience looks like in the industry.

Designers Presenting This Season

Mohikas, featured in Vogue, Elle, and Glamour
CFDA Designer No Sesso
CFDA scholarship recipient, Ren Haixi
Tracy Toulouse featured in Elle Canada and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week
Debut collection presentation by NIKITA
Eesha Patel

Schedule

6:30 PM — Doors open, debut collection presentation by NIKITA

7:00 PM — Runway show

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Show Credits

Show Producers: Alexandra Nyman & Claire Comai
Hair & Makeup: Paul Mitchell School of Staten Island (Key MUA: Diana Varvaro)

About the Break Free Foundation

Founded by Alexandra Nyman, the Break Free Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions through advocacy, education, and creative storytelling. Best known for its New York Fashion Week programming—including Recovery on the Runway—the Foundation raises funds for recovery scholarships and expands access to life-saving care when insurance falls short.

At Break Free, we believe we are all recovering from something—and that healing deserves a place at the forefront of fashion.

Why Fashion? Why Recovery?

Break Free is leading a national conversation at the intersection of mental health, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and the fashion industry.

Every New York Fashion Week season, we host Recovery on the Runway, a fashion showcase that places recovery — not perfection — at center stage.

Activists, creatives, and influencers walk the runway to send one powerful message:
There is life beyond recovery.

At Break Free, we define recovery broadly and inclusively. Recovery can mean healing from:

Substance use disorders
Co-occurring mental health conditions
Disordered eating
Self-harm
Gambling addiction
Sex and love addiction
Being a suicide attempt survivor
Or simply doing the ongoing work of mental health recovery

At Break Free, we believe we are all recovering from something.

Your Impact

Your donation directly supports:

Treatment scholarships for individuals seeking recovery
Expanded access to mental health and substance use treatment when insurance falls short

Every dollar raised brings someone closer to care, dignity, and a future.

✨ Donate today and help turn the runway into a lifeline.
✨ Support recovery. Support hope. Support life beyond addiction.

Together, we can ensure that healing is accessible—not a privilege.

Break Free NYFW SS27

Recovery on the Runway: Fashion Saving Lives

Team Members