Tokom Nedelje mode u Njujorku, 10. septembra, fondacija Break Free okupila je modu, aktivizam i oporavak na jednoj od retkih revija i humanitarnih večeri uvrštenih u zvanični kalendar CFDA.
U organizaciji fondacije Break Free, revija je mentalno zdravlje, oporavak od problema sa upotrebom psihoaktivnih supstanci i iskustva ljudi koji su kroz te izazove prošli stavila u samo središte modne piste, pokazujući da Nedelja mode može da pokrene razgovore koji daleko nadilaze samu odeću.
O fondaciji Break Free
Break Free Designer Showcase je humanitarna modna manifestacija u okviru Nedelje mode u Njujorku, čiji je cilj podrška fondaciji Break Free, neprofitnoj organizaciji sa statusom 501(c)(3), koja se bavi poremećajima u ishrani, zavisnošću i mentalnim zdravljem.
Fondaciju je osnovala Alexandra Nyman, zajedno sa Claire Comai, potpredsednicom i kreativnom direktorkom. Revija je u međuvremenu prerasla u sve značajniju platformu za predstavljanje novih modnih talenata tokom NYFW-a.
REHAB STUDIOS, koji je osnovala Claire Comai, predstavlja kreativnu pokretačku snagu ubrzanog razvoja projekta Break Free na Nedelji mode u Njujorku. Nakon početka karijere u modnim odnosima s javnošću, Comai je pokrenula REHAB kao modni brend inspirisan sopstvenim iskustvom oporavka. Ove sezone studio je napravio novi korak u svom razvoju, prerastajući u punopravni kreativni studio i dodatno šireći svoje prisustvo na njujorškoj modnoj i PR sceni.
„Neverovatno je koliko je Break Free uspeo… mnogo više nego što sam očekivala“, kaže Claire Comai. „Jedva čekam da vidim šta ćemo pripremiti naredne sezone.“
Tokom večeri predstavljene su kolekcije dizajnera i brendova Mohikas, Ren Haixi, Tracy Toulouse, No Sesso i Eesha Patel, dok je NIKITA predstavio ready-to-wear kolekciju, a veče je upotpunio nastup JK22.
Dizajneri – talenti koje prepoznaje CFDA i nova imena modne scene
NIKITA, koji je osnovala kanadska dizajnerka Nikita Hoehn, njujorški je modni brend čija debitantska kolekcija „Eat Me, Love Me, Fear Me“ reinterpretira estetiku Y2K glamura kroz sofisticiran pristup materijalima i konstrukciji.
REN HAIXI, dobitnik CFDA stipendije, spaja luksuz sa održivošću, inovacijama i inkluzivnošću. Njegova kolekcija za proleće/leto 2027. istražuje čipku kroz skulpturalne siluete i konstrukciju bez vidljivih šavova.
Bruklinska dizajnerka Eesha Patel predstavila je brend Shrujal, koji obuhvata mušku i žensku modu i spaja senzualnost, vrhunsku izradu i simboliku.
Anishnaabe (Ojibway) dizajnerka Tracy Toulouse, osnivačica brenda Swirling Wind Designs, unosi priče i nasleđe starosedelačkih naroda u savremenu modu kroz rad sa perlicama, aplikacijama, bodljama, krznom, trakama i drugim tradicionalnim tehnikama.
Mohikas, koji je osnovala Archana Soni, predstavio je kolekciju „UNBOUND BY MOHIKAS“. Njena glavna tema bila je rušenje granica, prihvatanje sopstvenog identiteta i sloboda izražavanja. „Unbound by Mohikas“ slavi slobodu, individualnost, otpornost i hrabrost da se prekorače granice koje ponekad sami sebi postavljamo.
Reviju je zatvorio No Sesso, modni brend koji je prepoznat od strane CFDA.
Ovogodišnja revija održana je u prostoru The Mezzanine u donjem delu Menhetna, uz podršku sponzora Sonela Beauty, Quit With Jones i Forward__Space. Za stilizovanje modela iza scene bile su zadužene Leah David i Keerit Kaur.
Paris Runway Official
Paris Runway Official već dve sezone podržava reviju Break Free i njenu misiju, dovodeći na događaj vodeće medije i modne urednike. Ove godine Paris Runway Official okupio je tim fotografa, među kojima je bila i Gabriela Candela, dobitnica priznanja za najboljeg modnog fotografa 2026. godine.
Među istaknutim fotografima Paris Runway Official-a, čiji su radovi objavljivani u Harper’s Bazaaru, ELLE-u, Fashion X-u i drugim publikacijama, bili su Christian Mercado, SD Herzog, Torry Sledge, Ekaterina Votinova, Asifa, Aleksey Zemlevskiy i Anthony Zaccardi.
Novinarka Brit Olivia, koja sarađuje sa publikacijama VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, L’Officiel i drugim vodećim modnim medijima, predvodila je tim zadužen za medijsko praćenje ovog važnog humanitarnog projekta i modne revije.
Zahvaljujući podršci Paris Runway Official-a, Break Free je prethodno predstavljen u magazinima Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, Glamour, FashionX, Fashion Trendsetter i drugim publikacijama.
Tim Paris Runway Official-a pripremio je i poklon-pakete za modele i goste, koji su sadržali proizvode brendova Molly Sims YISE Beauty, Redken, Charlotte Tilbury, Misfits Protein Bars, LOVE CORN, Simply Gum, SmartSweets i GORGIE.
Član CFDA Erickson Beamon i Wàngda udružili snage za editorijal tokom NYFW-a
Erickson Beamon je kultna američka kuća nakita koju su 1983. godine osnovali Karen i Eric Erickson i Vicki Beamon. Brend je poznat po ručno izrađenom upečatljivom nakitu, koji su nosile kulturne ikone poput Madonne i Lady Gage, kao i po saradnjama sa velikim modnim kućama, među kojima su Dior i Givenchy. Erickson Beamon je zvanično postao član CFDA u novembru 2010. godine.
Wàngda, koji je osnovao dizajner Wangda Chen, jedan je od novih njujorških brendova muške i ready-to-wear mode koji sve više privlači pažnju modne industrije. Chen je 2026. godine proglašen dobitnikom nagrade Fashion Group International Rising Star Award u kategoriji muške ready-to-wear mode, što predstavlja važan korak u razvoju ovog brenda.
Dva dizajnera udružila su se tokom revije Break Free kako bi kreirali poseban modni editorijal, u kojem su savremeni dizajnerski pristup brenda Wàngda spojili sa upečatljivim nakitom Erickson Beamon. U editorijalu su učestvovali modeli Brian Metcalf i Anna Alimani.
Realizaciju editorijala omogućili su Paris Runway Official, Brian Metcalf i Showroom Seven, dok je fotografije snimila Gabriela Candela, fotografkinja Paris Runway Official-a.
Oporavak, a ne savršenstvo
Na događaju „Recovery on the Runway“, ljudi koji su nosili kreacije bili su podjednako važni kao i same kolekcije. Aktivisti, kreativci i ljudi sa ličnim iskustvom oporavka prošetali su pistom noseći zajedničku poruku: život postoji i nakon oporavka.
U industriji koja se često povezuje sa pažljivo konstruisanom slikom savršenstva, Break Free je otvorio prostor za nešto mnogo ljudskije – otpornost, ranjivost i napredak.
Svaki od dizajnera doneo je sopstveni kreativni izraz, ali su zajedno postali deo mnogo šire priče o tome šta moda može da postigne kada se njena vidljivost koristi sa jasnom svrhom.
Na jednu noć, pista je postala mnogo više od mesta na kojem se predstavljaju novi modni trendovi. Postala je platforma na kojoj ljudi mogu da budu viđeni, njihove priče saslušane, a stigma dovedena u pitanje.
U Break Free revija nije bila pitanje savršenstva.
Bila je priča o snazi koja je potrebna da nastavimo da hodamo.
English here:
CFDA-Recognized Designers Join Break Free for a Runway Show with Purpose – Paris Runway Official Reports
During New York Fashion Week on September 10, the Break Free Foundation brought fashion, advocacy and recovery together for the only Runway Show and charity event on the CFDA Calendar.
Produced by the Break Free Foundation, the runway show placed mental health, substance use recovery and lived experience at the center of the runway, proving that Fashion Week can create conversations extending far beyond clothing.
About Break Free:
Break Free Designer Showcase is a NYFW benefit supporting the Break Free Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit addressing eating disorders, addiction and mental health. Founded by Alexandra Nyman, alongside VP & Creative Director Claire Comai, the showcase has become a growing NYFW platform for emerging fashion talent.
REHAB STUDIOS, founded by Claire Comai, is the creative force behind Break Free’s rapid growth at New York Fashion Week. After beginning her career in fashion PR, Comai launched REHAB as a clothing brand inspired by her own recovery journey. This season marks its evolution into a full creative studio, expanding its presence within the NYFW public relations landscape.
“The success we’ve had with Break Free has been incredible… far beyond what I expected,” Claire Comai says. “I can’t wait to see what we pull off next season.”
The evening brought together collections from Mohikas, Ren Haixi, Tracy Toulouse, No Sesso, Eesha Patel, alongside a ready-to-wear presentation by NIKITA and a performance by JK22.
About the Designers – CFDA Recognized Talent & More
NIKITA, founded by Canadian designer Nikita Hoehn, is a New York-based label whose debut collection, Eat Me, Love Me, Fear Me, reimagines Y2K glamour through a sophisticated, material-focused lens.
REN HAIXI, a CFDA scholarship recipient, blends luxury with sustainability, innovation and inclusivity. Its SS27 collection explores lace through sculptural silhouettes and seamless construction.
Brooklyn designer Eesha Patel presents Shrujal, a menswear and womenswear label combining sensuality, craftsmanship and symbolism.
Anishnaabe (Ojibway) designer Tracy Toulouse of Swirling Wind Designs brings Indigenous storytelling into contemporary fashion through beadwork, appliqué, quills, fur, ribbon work and other traditional techniques.
Mohikas, founded by Archana Soni, presented UNBOUND BY MOHIKAS. Breaking boundaries, embracing identity and wearing freedom was her overall theme. Unbound by Mohikas celebrates freedom, individuality, resilience, and the courage to break beyond the boundaries we sometimes place on ourselves.
No Sesso, recognized by the CFDA, closed the Runway Show.
This year’s showcase will take place at The Mezzanine in downtown Manhattan, with sponsors Sonela Beauty, Quit With Jones and Forward__Space. Backstage styling will be led by Leah David and Keerit Kaur.
Editor Support led by Paris Runway Official with Yise Beauty, Redken, Charlotte Tilbury and more Backstage with PRO
For the last 2 seasons, Paris Runway Official has supported the Break Free show and its efforts, bringing top media and editors to the showcase. This year, Paris Runway Official brought a team of photographers including the 2026 Best Fashion Photographer, Gabriela Candela. Additionally, top favorites featured in Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Fashion X and more include PRO’s Lead Photographers: Christian Mercado, SD Herzog, Torry Sledge, Ekaterina Votinova, Asifa, Aleksey Zemlevskiy and Anthony Zaccardi.
Brit Olivia, a journalist for VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, L’Officiel, and more led the team to bring top coverage to such a worthy cause and runway show. Break Free has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia Magazine, Glamour, FashionX, Fashion Trendsetter and more led by Paris Runway Official.
Additionally, the Paris Runway Team provided gift bags for models and guests that included products from Molly Sims YISE Beauty, Redken, Charlotte Tilbury, Misfits Protein Bars, LOVE CORN, Simply Gum, SmartSweets and GORGIE.
CFDA Member, Erickson Beamon, teams up with Wàngda for NYFW Editorial at Break Free
Erickson Beamon is the iconic American jewelry house founded in 1983 by Karen and Eric Erickson and Vicki Beamon. Known for its handcrafted statement jewelry, the brand has dressed cultural icons including Madonna and Lady Gaga and collaborated with major fashion houses including Dior and Givenchy. Erickson Beamon officially became a CFDA member in November 2010.
Wàngda, founded by designer Wangda Chen, is an emerging New York menswear and ready-to-wear label gaining industry recognition. Chen was named the 2026 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award winner for Men’s Ready-to-Wear, marking an important milestone for the growing brand.
The two designers came together during the Break Free Show for a special fashion editorial, pairing Wàngda’s contemporary design perspective with Erickson Beamon’s statement jewelry. Models Brian Metcalf and Anna Alimani were featured in the editorial.
Paris Runway Official, Brian Metcalf and Showroom Seven facilitated the editorial with Paris Runway Official Photographer, Gabriela Candela behind the lens.
Recovery, Not Perfection
At Recovery on the Runway, the people wearing the clothes were as important as the collections themselves. Activists, creatives and individuals connected to recovery walked with a shared message: there is life beyond recovery.
In an industry often associated with carefully constructed images of perfection, Break Free created space for something more human: resilience, vulnerability, and progress.
The designers represented individual creative perspectives, but together they became part of a much larger conversation about what fashion can accomplish when its visibility is used with purpose.
For one evening, the runway became more than a place to introduce what comes next in fashion. It became a platform for people to be seen, stories to be heard and stigma to be challenged.
At Break Free, the runway wasn’t about perfection. It was about what it takes to keep walking.
Team credits:
PR: Paris Runway Official @parisrunwayofficial
Writer/Journalist: Brit Olivia @onceuponatimebrit
Show Producer:@rehabstudiosny @clairecomai
Show: Break Free @breakfreenyfw
Break Free Backstage & Model Coordinator: Gunpreet Singh @gunpreetz
Designers: @eesha._.patel @tracytoulouse @mohi_kas @renhaixi @nosesso @whoisnikita
Paris Runway Models: @hollywoodeyes @oliviagearr @bametcalf1 @kellyarjen @travelholic_momma_ @onekatrinaperez @asking_alix13 @susanneschroedter @theamandamatthews @lexi_labour8 @anyalabanya @heatherhhawes @sureshpnycmodel @deborahvonj @luc1e.guman0va @farilicious
Runway & Backstage Paris Runway Photographers:
Christian Mercado @christianmercadophotography
SD Herzog @sd_herzog_photo
Gabriela Candela @elladelarte
Ekaterina Votinova @raskaterina.photo
Hira Ansari @hansari3090
Torry Sledge @the_quantum_lotus
Erickson Beamon and Wàngda: @showroomseven @mandieerickson
Paris Runway Photographer for Erickson Beamon and Wàngda: Gabriela Candela @elladelarte
Goody Bag Sponsors for VIP Guest and Models: @Redken @charlottetilbury @yisebeauty @simplygum @getgorgie @lovecorn_snacks @smartsweets @eatmisfits
