‘Pressure on the Runway’ brings Fashion and Health Awareness together

Gary’s fashion scene will once again merge with community health advocacy when “Pressure on the Runway” returns to the Indiana University Northwest Theatre on September 27, 2025. The event, founded by Clyde Scott, has grown into more than a fashion showcase—it is a movement that uses style, creativity, and cultural pride to spotlight stroke prevention and recovery.

The three-hour showcase begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 27 at the Mainstage Theater at Indiana University Northwest, 3415 Broadway in Gary. Tickets are available now at www.getfocusedonfashion.com, with limited VIP seating and no refunds. Sponsorship opportunities remain open, with details posted at getfocusedonfashion.com/sponsors.

Scott, the founder and producer of Focused on Fashion, said the vision for the show was borne out of a desire to create something “bigger than clothes on a runway.” In an interview, he emphasized that the purpose is to reach people in ways traditional health messages often cannot. “When people come to this event, they are entertained, but they are also educated,” Scott explained. “We’re giving them real tools to understand, manage, and prevent strokes.”

For Scott, the mission is deeply personal. Years ago, his life was upended by a debilitating stroke, an experience that has shaped both his outlook and his calling. He recalled how it was the quick action of nurses during a photoshoot that made all the difference. They recognized the classic signs of stroke, now often remembered by the acronym BEFAST—Balance loss, Eye changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. Their alertness, he said, saved him from a worse outcome. “I owe a large part of my recovery to God, my wife Jacqueline, and my doctors,” Scott said, noting that faith and family anchored his rehabilitation and gave him the strength to imagine a new purpose for his work in fashion.

That purpose took shape as “Pressure on the Runway,” now entering its fourth edition. Each year, the event has sold out, filling the 500-seat Indiana University Northwest Theatre with a mix of high fashion and urgent advocacy. The theatre’s ultramodern stage, complete with state-of-the-art lighting and acoustics, provides a fitting backdrop for a show that thrives on both spectacle and substance. Scott said the continued sellouts reflect not just an appetite for glamour but a hunger for events that matter. “People want to celebrate, but they also want to leave with something that can change their lives,” he said.

The statistics underscore the urgency. Every year, about 795,000 Americans experience a stroke—roughly one every 40 seconds—and stroke remains the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. About 137,000 Americans die annually from strokes, a rate that translates to one death every three minutes. For Black communities, the numbers are even starker. The risk of a first stroke is nearly twice as high for non-Hispanic Black adults as it is for White adults, and Black adults suffer some of the nation’s highest stroke death rates. These disparities are fueled by social and economic inequities, gaps in access to quality health care, and the higher prevalence of underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

Indiana is no exception to the crisis. Strokes account for nearly three percent of hospitalizations statewide, and in Lake County, which includes Gary, the death rate from strokes has consistently exceeded the national average. Local public health experts point to a web of contributing factors, from limited access to consistent primary care to food deserts and the legacy of economic disinvestment in the city.

Dr. Janet Seabrook, a respected physician and longtime community health leader, said this is why a fashion event with a health message is so powerful. As CEO of Community HealthNet Health Centers, she has seen firsthand how access gaps and late interventions affect outcomes in Gary. “When we tie health education to something exciting and engaging like fashion, it opens doors for conversations that may not happen otherwise,” she said. Seabrook emphasized that events like “Pressure on the Runway” not only raise awareness but also reduce stigma and spark dialogue about prevention.

High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer,” is especially dangerous in the Black community because it can remain undetected for years. Without symptoms, hypertension quietly damages blood vessels, the brain, and the heart until it triggers a crisis such as a stroke or heart attack. African Americans are disproportionately affected, with earlier onset and more severe consequences. Diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles also combine with barriers to care to drive up stroke risk in Gary and across Indiana. “The key,” Seabrook said, “is early detection and lifestyle changes—but you need community-based ways to spread that message, and that’s what this event does so beautifully.”

The show itself mirrors the energy of a cultural festival as much as a runway production. Guests will see a handpicked lineup of designers, from established names to emerging talents, showcasing collections that reflect the diversity of global fashion. Models of all ages and backgrounds—including children, young prodigies, and local talent from Northwest Indiana—will bring the clothes to life. Musicians, DJs, dancers, and professional makeup artists will add to the atmosphere, transforming the evening into a multi-sensory experience.

Vendors will not only include local entrepreneurs but also health partners. Dr. Janet Seabrook and her Community HealthNet team will be stationed in the lobby, offering screenings such as blood pressure checks and other preventive services. For attendees without insurance, staff will be available to explain coverage options and enrollment. Seabrook will also take the stage during the program to reinforce the show’s central message about stroke prevention and community wellness.

International supermodel Sharaun Brown will serve as host. Discovered on “America’s Next Top Model,” Brown has graced the runways of top designers while building a career that extends beyond fashion. Through her nonprofit ServeUp Inc., she has supported health and wellness programs, making her a natural fit to guide an event that balances artistry with advocacy. Her presence, Scott said, “shows that this is about more than entertainment—it’s about putting influence to work for the community.”

Beyond the spectacle, survivors and families will take the spotlight as well. Their stories, woven into the program, offer powerful reminders of resilience and hope. Scott said these moments are often the most moving for audiences. “When someone shares how they came back from a stroke, it resonates,” he said. “It tells people that prevention matters, but so does recovery—and that nobody has to walk that road alone.”

The blend of fashion and health awareness has become the defining mark of “Pressure on the Runway.” For Scott, who came through the harrowing experience of stroke himself, the event is a testimony to survival and to the possibility of turning pain into purpose. For Seabrook, it is a creative tool for public health. And for the city of Gary, it is an annual reminder that beauty and wellness can belong on the same stage.

Tickets for “Pressure on the Runway” went on sale July 21 through the Focused on Fashion website, with VIP seating already in high demand. As the September date approaches, Scott said he hopes people will see the show as both a celebration and a call to action. “I want them to walk away not just talking about the clothes, but about how they can live healthier lives and help someone else do the same,” he said.