Can an MS specialist walk in New York Fashion Week? Apparently so!
While this blog is typically dedicated to all things related to MS, today I’m sharing something a little different. If you had told me I’d be walking in New York Fashion Week, I wouldn’t have believed you—but here I am, having lived through one of the most surreal and meaningful moments of my life.
As an MS specialist and physical therapist, raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is something I’m deeply passionate about. When the opportunity to walk in New York Fashion Week came up, I was skeptical. I thought it might be too good to be true. But, as it turns out, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced. So, let me take you on this journey with me and share every whirlwind detail!
It all started when I received an invitation to participate in a special New York Fashion Week show for Runway 7 in partnership with Mount Sinai Hospitals, dedicated to raising awareness for MS. I honestly wasn’t sure how they found me—whether someone at Mount Sinai knew me or if they stumbled upon my Instagram account—but either way, I was thrilled by the idea. That didn’t stop my initial skepticism, though. I wondered, Was this even real? Could something like this really happen?
Despite my doubts, my curiosity got the best of me and I responded. It felt like an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. And let me tell you, it was worth every second of the anticipation and nerves.
This was my initial thought exactly! The goal of this fashion show was to increase awareness of Multiple Sclerosis through a line of labcoats, each representing a different facet of the complex disease.
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I may be biased, but I felt like my lab coat was particularly special. The back of the coat had “This is MS” printed at the top and below it was a visual representation of MS symptoms, illustrating the often invisible challenges that those in the MS community face daily. The front of the coat had "NYFW" for New York Fashion Week and "Runway 7," representing the incredible partnership that made this moment possible.
The turnaround between the original message on Instagram to the day of the show (September 7th) was really quick! The day arrived and I was off to New York City with a ton of nerves and excitement.
I had never done anything like this before, so naturally, I was a mix of emotions. I picked out a black halter top and some dress pants to wear underneath the custom lab coat that would showcase the symptoms of MS on the back. I wanted to be comfortable yet confident.
Arriving at the venue, things were moving fast. I got out of my Uber, only to realize I was running later than I had planned (we even got into a little fender bender on the way, talk about stress!) My nerves kicked in as I hurried through hair and makeup, but the team backstage made sure everything came together. And soon enough, I was ready to go.
One of the most memorable parts of the day was meeting the incredible team from Mount Sinai. I hadn’t met any of them before that day, and suddenly I was surrounded by neurologists, nurses, and MS specialists. These are the people who work tirelessly to help those living with MS. I wished there had been more time to chat with them about their work and research, but the chaos of the day didn’t allow for long conversations.
Even though we were all nervous, there was a shared excitement in the air. And it was comforting to know that I wasn’t the only one without modeling experience! Most of the participants were medical professionals like me, representing MS in their own way.
There were some real models too, and they gave us tips on how to pose, walk, and really "own" the runway. One model gave me a crucial piece of advice—to make sure my hair didn’t cover the back of my lab coat, which proudly displayed "This is MS." I was so grateful for that tip because it made sure that everyone could see the message we were there to share.
Then came the big moment. My heart was racing, but I also felt oddly calm as I waited for my turn to step onto the runway. I was going last, which gave me plenty of time to freak out! The moment I walked out, everything felt like a blur, and my carefully rehearsed plan for poses flew out the window.
I had practiced stopping halfway down the runway for a quick pose and then planned to stop again at the end for a longer pose before turning around to show the back of my coat. But in the moment, my brain completely forgot the details! I ended up doing poses I didn’t plan, but I went with the flow, smiling big when someone in the crowd cheered me on. It was one of those magical moments where I felt both totally out of my element and completely at ease, all at the same time.
As I reached the end of the runway, I almost forgot to pull my hair forward, but luckily I remembered just in time. The cameras flashed, the lights shone, and I couldn’t stop smiling. There were around 50 cameras at the end of the runway—it felt surreal having all that attention on me, but I knew I was there for a reason bigger than myself: raising awareness for MS.
After I stepped off the runway, it all started sinking in. I had just walked in New York Fashion Week, something I never thought I’d experience. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude—not only for the opportunity to represent the MS community but also for the connections I made that day.
The whole experience wasn’t just about fashion; it was about raising $25,000 for MS research and making sure people understand what life with MS looks like. The other lab coats in the show each told a different story about MS. Some had images of brains or nerves, others showcased symbolic images like hands coming together in unity. Together, we created a powerful visual representation of the MS journey.
Since then, I’ve been in touch with some of the wonderful neurologists and nurse practitioners from Mount Sinai. We’re already discussing ways we can collaborate to keep raising awareness and supporting the MS community. I’m excited about what the future holds and how we can continue to push forward in making life with MS feel more manageable and empowering.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that sometimes life surprises you with opportunities you didn’t even know you wanted. And when those moments happen, embrace them wholeheartedly.
To keep up with all the latest MS advice, exercises, treatment management, and future collaborations with MS specialists, I highly recommend checking out my podcast – The MSing Link.
Thank you so much for reading and your ongoing support. If you know someone living with MS who might benefit from hearing this story, please share it with them. Together, we can keep spreading awareness and supporting one another on this journey.
If you have any questions on how to begin your journey reclaiming your symptoms of MS (or supporting a loved one through their experience) please feel free to message me on Instagram @doctor.gretchen.
Do the “pins and needles” in your body make it difficult to take on everyday life? While tingling can be uncomfortable, and even painful at times, there are ways to manage it. Read all the details relating to MS tingling and more importantly, how to manage it correctly here.
Dr. Gretchen Hawley's The MSing Link offers a comprehensive guide to taking control of your MS symptoms and improving your mobility through MS-specific exercises and strategies.
6000+ copies sold in over 13 countries!
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As a physical therapist & Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist, I have spent the last 10 years teaching people with MS how to feel more confident & empowered through MS-specific exercises and strategies.
If you want support and encouragement, plus a healthy dose of tough love, come follow me on Instagram (@doctor.gretchen) or on YouTube @DoctorGretchenHawley. It's where I share daily tips, tricks, and information about new offers — plus, you’re bound to feel more empowered, hopeful, & motivated after watching each post and video!
Questions? Email me at Hello@DoctorGretchenHawley.com