Break Free Foundation Announces Recovery on the Runway

The Break Free Foundation announces its upcoming runway show, Recovery on the Runway, set to take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at The Refectory at Chelsea Square in Manhattan during New York Fashion Week.

Break Free’s Recovery on the Runway is more than a fashion show—it is a movement. The event uses the runway as a platform to challenge stigma around mental health, substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, and lived experience, transforming fashion into a space of advocacy, visibility, and celebration.

“We’re redefining what fashion week can stand for—using the runway as a platform for healing and human stories,” said Alexandra Nyman, Founder & CEO of the Break Free Foundation. “This show celebrates creativity born from lived experience, proving that recovery, resilience, and advocacy are not only powerful—they’re fashionable and long overdue in this industry.”

Designers Showcasing This Season

The 2026 Recovery on the Runway will feature a diverse lineup of designers whose work reflects authenticity, resilience, and creative purpose:

• Monday Blues, Studio. — A couture label by designer Monday, known for one-of-a-kind creations that defy trends and honor personal narrative.
• REHAB New York — A brand born from real journeys of recovery, celebrating survival and community through bold, stigma-breaking design.
• LadyCat by Lex — A size-inclusive womenswear collection by Alexandra “Lex” Nyman that merges fashion with storytelling, healing, and mental health advocacy.
• Dmarxx Design — Handcrafted leather accessories blending edge and elegance, including the signature Canteen Clutch inspired by the founder’s own recovery journey.
• Open Mind Apparel (OMACUSTOMS) — An exclusive, one-of-one fashion line championing individuality and creative defiance, returning for its fourth Break Free season.
• Susie Elliott — At age 95, the Brooklyn-based designer makes her NYFW debut with imaginative, one-of-a-kind hats, dresses, and accessories that prove creativity knows no age.

Special Performances

Recovery on the Runway will feature live performances by acclaimed artists:

• Yannie Beliziano, a Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter who will debut a new song inspired by her mental health journey.
• Wyn Starks, pop and soul artist known for his appearance on America’s Got Talent, with music featured in I Am: Celine Dion and millions of online streams.

Community Partners & Sponsors

Break Free is proud to partner with the New York State Office of Mental Health, which will be onsite providing mental health resources and educational materials. Additional supporters include: Seraphim, Spring Lake Ranch, Winning at Wellness, The Sober Curator, and Sober Is the New Cool.

Mocktails & Refreshments

Guests will enjoy bottomless alcohol-free mocktails provided by: Pathfinder, Seraphim, Clean Cause, Salud, and Dirty Virgin.

Tickets & Donations

Tickets are available for purchase at givebutter.com/recovery-on-the-runway/. Donations to support Break Free’s scholarship fund can be made at givebutter.com/break-free-donate/.

About the Break Free Foundation

The Break Free Foundation is a nonprofit organization 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 annual Recovery on the Runway programming during New York Fashion Week, Break Free raises awareness and funds for recovery treatment scholarships and community resources. At Break Free, we believe we are all recovering from something—and that healing deserves to be seen, honored, and celebrated.