Seventh Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show Unites the Worlds of Fashion, Sports & Entertainment to Raise Awareness for Prostate Cancer

Seventh Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show

Now in its seventh year, the Blue Jacket fashion show started by fashion designer Frederick Anderson and marketer Laura Miller brought together notables from the worlds of fashion, entertainment, sports, and healthcare to drive an open dialogue about the impact of prostate cancer. Supporters including Mario Cantone, Andy Karl, Alex Lundqvist, Bill Nye, Carlos Greer, Clinton Lord, Dominic Fumusa, Don Lemon, Don Hood, Dr. Bradley Schaeffer, Dr. Evan Goldfischer, Dr. Ash Tewari, Eric West, Frank DiLella, James Aguiar, James Andrew, Kris Bennett, Les Trent, London Brown, Louis Finley, Marcus Samuelsson, Mike Woods, Musa Jackson, Nigel Barker, Omar Hernandez, Richard Thomas, Souleymane Sy Savane, Ty-Ron Mayes, Tyrone Brewer and Young Paris modeled the reimagined traditional "blue jacket" down the runway by designers including Arjona Collection, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli Collezione, Cad & The Dandy, Gustavo Moscoso, Levi's, Maxjenny, Men's Wearhouse, Michael Kors, Nicholas Graham, Son Jung Wan, Stephen F, Thom Browne, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Emerging designers through fashion partner Fashion Group International also debuted one-of-a-kind blue jackets by designers Carlos Campos, Epperson, Peyman Umay, Don Morphy, Niyi Okuboyejo, Loris Diran, and Terry Singh, all former FGI Rising Star Award winners and finalists. Now in its 27^th year, Fashion Group's signature Rising Star Awards ceremony remains a vital and highly visible platform for professional recognition and celebrating emerging talent in fashion, beauty, business, retail, and related categories.

The event, which continues to elevate prostate cancer awareness, took place at Moonlight Studios and was sponsored by Janssen Oncology, part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The show streamed live on ZeroCancer.org and benefited nonprofit advocacy group ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer for its efforts to raise awareness through funding to support the prostate cancer community and to improve early detection and reduce mortality.  This year, for the first time as part of this event, community members, event participants, and guests were able to be screened for prostate cancer with a quick and easy prostate-specific antigen test sponsored by Carver Federal Savings Bank and provided by Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Morning screenings were held outside of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and then again at Moonlight Studios ahead of the show.

Resident spoke to Frederick Anderson about what drove him to launch the Blue Jacket Show and what message of hope that he would like the world to know.

What inspired you to launch the Blue Jacket Show?

When I was in my 40s and first received the speech from my doctor about prostate and colon cancer and after getting my first colonoscopy and PSA, I realized I had no idea the risks.  I had never had a conversation about prostate health which was not just frightening to me but concerning as well. The fashion industry does their part to promote the fashion fights breast cancer which got me wondering, "what about the men"?  This is when I took it upon myself to start the conversation –  and based off the reaction, it's a conversation that was very much needed.

What are some of your favorite moments on the runway since you launched 7 years ago?

One of my most favorite moments was when Bill Nye the Science Guy danced down the runway. I'll always remember it as an epic moment.   Andre Leon Tally served as host for two years before his passing which was also an honor.

How did you come up with the theme for the Blue Jacket?

The blue blazer, to me has always been a symbol of masculinity. The first blue blazer I purchased was a Brooks Brothers blue sport jacket.  Hopefully as we pass down this tradition, we will also pass down the tradition of talking about men's health.

What are some of the key messages and awareness you would like the world to know?

The statistic that 1 in 7 black men, and 1 in 11 of the general male public will have to deal with prostate cancer is astounding. These numbers are why we do this work.

Do you have any plans to expand to different cities?

We are excited this year to be partnering with Fashion Group International and their Rising Star program which will host viewing parties in St Louis, Dallas and Atlanta.  We're excited for what's to come, this is only the beginning.

In addition, to live streaming the event at FGI.org, local FGI chapters hosted "viewing parties" in cities including Dallas, St. Louis, and Atlanta. The Dallas event was hosted by FGI Rising Star Don Morphy. Daphne Benzaquen hosted the St. Louis event, and Jerry Buckner hosted the Atlanta viewing party. Attendees wore blue jackets support of the cause.

By Nature Skincare from New Zealand was the exclusive skincare company which provided 2% Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Masks, as well as some of their best-selling products, to the show's celebrity participants and guests. By Nature Skincare is a clean, natural skincare line that blends powerful, highly-concentrated ingredients with globally sourced plant and fruit actives to create simple and effective everyday skincare at super affordable prices.

Following the show, an afterparty was held for participants and guests sponsored by Tao Group Hospitality and Loosie's at the Moxy NYC Lower East Side. Seventh Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show, exclusive presentation by Resident Team.