+Life, a multimedia brand focused on eliminating HIV stigma, presented the second U.S. edition of HIV Unwrapped during New York Fashion Week on September 9 at Sony Hall. The global initiative brings together fashion, science and storytelling to challenge HIV stigma and reignite critical conversations. The event featured an innovative collaboration between emerging student designers from Parsons School of Design and leading HIV scientists, resulting in original couture inspired by molecular science, human resilience, and the communities most affected by HIV. The immersive, choreographed runway show brought together scientists and advocates including Demetre Daskalakis (Former director of CDC’s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases), Allison Agwu, and LaRon Nelson; models Lionel Moise (ABC News), Shia Ho, Michael Macneal; and special guests including Peppermint, Javier Muñoz, Demetre Daskalakis, and more.

Following international editions in Australia, Rwanda, the UK, and most recently in Rio, the U.S. edition is sponsored by Gilead Sciences and presented in partnership with ASHM, with additional support from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

About HIV Unwrapped

HIV Unwrapped is a global storytelling initiative transforming public health narratives through fashion, creativity, and media. Through immersive design collaborations and curated programming, the platform champions the scientists, advocates, and individuals rewriting the future of HIV.

About +Life

The multi-platform brand +Life is inspired by ABC talent Karl Schmid’s own story of living with shame and fear of having HIV due to the amount of ignorance and stigma surrounding the virus.+Life appears across multiple social media platforms offering the flagship +Talk round-table talk show and content revolving around love and relationships, entertaining, medicine, nutrition and spirituality. +Life features a coterie of amazing stories told by an incredible and diverse group of people sharing their first hand experiences living with HIV, fighting for access to medications, facing down community stigma, and fighting their own internal stigmas.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, Calif.

Photos courtesy of +Life & HIV Unwrapped.