Fashionably Fighting Multiple Sclerosis at NY Fashion Week

“We created Project Lab Coat to use our platform of Runway 7 Fashion for a greater cause,” said Mr. Rosa, who also serves on the Center’s Advisory Board. “The goal of the Project is fighting multiple sclerosis. It’s a first in many ways for us and could be a model for fighting additional important health battles—cancer, Lyme disease, or others. Our slogan is ‘Project Lab Coat at New York Fashion Week with Mount Sinai… Elevating awareness, fashionably fighting against multiple sclerosis, and uniting for a cause that truly matters.’”

In memory of his late brother, Ralph, who battled multiple sclerosis for 23 years, Mr. Rosa designed fashionable lab coats to raise multiple sclerosis awareness. In a unique touch, Mr. Rosa enlisted doctors, nurse practitioners, and families from the Center to model the coats. Amid a thumping soundtrack by DJ Tone Experience, staff from the Center and professional models alike took to the runway, spinning, strutting, and creating an atmosphere that was both lively and emotional.

Before the models began their runway walk, Elizabeth Rosa, mother of Mr. Rosa and Ralph, presented Fred Lublin, MD, Saunders Family Professor of Neurology at Icahn Mount Sinai and Director of the Center, with a $25,000 donation to support the Center’s critical work.

Walking the runway to support the cause were Ilana Katz Sand, MD; Stephen Krieger, MD; James Sumowski, PhD; Sammita Satyanarayan, MD; Sarah Levy, PhD; and Nurse Practitioner Gretchen Mathewson, alongside administrative staffer Lady Navia and research coordinator Claire Wigley, and several professional models. Adding a family touch, Michelle Fabian, MD’s daughter Julia Fabian, Fred Lublin, MD’s granddaughter Avery Lublin, and Social Worker Ilona Silva Alvarez’s daughter Isabella Veliz-Silva also joined.

“All of us at the Center are deeply appreciative of the remarkable and unique opportunity that Anthony Rosa has afforded us in raising awareness of multiple sclerosis and the Center, and in raising needed funds for our goals,” said Dr. Lublin. “I was especially appreciative of having my granddaughter, Avery Lublin, walk the runway and model Anthony’s reimagining of the laboratory coat.”

Ilana Katz Sand, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Icahn Mount Sinai, and a physician from the Center who walked the runway, shared her experience. “Participating in the fashion show was an amazing experience. Although I was completely terrified while we were standing backstage, I looked around at my wonderful colleagues and was reminded how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such dedicated and caring professionals. We were all there to raise awareness and resources for the Center and all people living with multiple sclerosis; this inspired me to step out onto the runway with my head held high. We are extremely grateful to Anthony for this incredible opportunity and his generous support.”

For Stephen Krieger, MD, FAAN, Professor of Neurology, Icahn Mount Sinai, the evening also meant getting a little uncomfortable. “I was thrilled—terrified, actually—to walk the runway at Fashion Week to support the Center and the Mount Sinai Community,” he said. “It was fun to step out of my comfort zone for the cause. My lab coat said, ‘Find the Cure for MS: Someone I Love is Waiting.’ I think this is an incredible message, our north star at the Center, where we focus every day on both caring for our patients and making advancements in the field.”

The event offered a space not only to enjoy the fashion show but also to connect and celebrate with each other. Attendees from the Center had reserved tables to relax, catch up over drinks and appetizers hosted by Runway 7 Fashion, and cheer on their colleagues as they showed off these meaningful designs.

“A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Rosa and Runway 7 Fashion for creating such a memorable night and for their unwavering support of the Center’s dedicated staff and their work,” said Dr. Lublin.