Today I had the wonderful pleasure of talking with designer and Project Runway-alum Jack Mackenroth. As I'm sure you remember, Jack had to leave the show early because he was ill, but what we did get to see was so impressive. Jack is an incredible designer...and as it turns out, maybe an even more incredible person. As I'm sure you also remember, Jack is not only openly gay, but openly HIV+ (and healthy!). After the show was over, Jack did an interview with Advocate magazine, and when they asked him what he wanted to do next, he mentioned that he wanted to get more involved in HIV advocacy. The great people at Merck Pharmaceuticals read the article, and after teaming up with Jack, a truly important organization called Living Positive By Design was created.
According to Jack (who, by the way, couldn't have been nicer on the phone - open and honest and 
adorably funny...), the main components of Living Positive By Design are "fighting the stigma of living opening with HIV" as well as serving as "a call to arms to get together with a doctor and figure out a regiment that works." Jack also told me a bit about the great importance of achieving an undetectable viral load when HIV+, which is impossible if you don't get proper treatment. Now, the way that Living Positive By Design is going to acheive all of these great things is through Jack's speaking engagements (he recently spoke at the huge U.S. Conference on AIDS in Fort Lauderdale, Florida), at which he will be accompanied by doctors and specialists who are local to each venue. The U.S. AIDS conference, along with an appearance Jack made in conjunction with the AIDS Walk in Atlanta, GA, were leading up to an event here in NYC tonight. Jack and the Gay Men's Heath Crisis have partnered to produce the GMHC's annual fundraising effort, this year called "Fashion Forward." Guests will be 
treated to a runway show, a cocktail party, and special gifts like the red scarf Jack designed (his "spin on the AIDS ribbon"), and Living Positive By Design will officially kick off!
I asked Jack how StyleWhipped readers could get involved with Living Positive By Design. He told me that at this point, it is truly an "educational campaign" and that he just hopes "more and more people visit the LPBD website and show their support through personal stories and by attending events." So make sure to keep an eye out on Jack's website as well for updates on where he will be speaking!
Now, Jack isn't only working on the amazing LPBD. He is also still designing, and is on his way to Los Angeles to pitch a fantastic design show co-starring Kevin Christiana, his fellow Project Runway alum and good friend. (Obviously, we'll update you when the show is actually on the air!). Jack also just designed a dress completely out of chocolate for the NY Chocolate Show, and even created a wedding dress entirely out of condoms for the Condom Couture Runway Show to benefit Project Inform. Needless to say, Jack's been a little busy since Project Runway...so I'm sending him a huge thank you for taking the time to chat and fill me in on the amazing work of Living Postitive By Design!
~ Alison
What a great guy and a wonderful program. When I watched the show I knew Jack was going places. BRAVO.
Posted by: julie | November 11, 2008 at 11:04 AM