Since the start of the HIV pandemic in the early 1980s up to the present day, art continually emerges as a powerful tool; fostering empathy, challenging misconceptions and amplifying the voices and diverse experiences of those living with HIV.
HIV Unwrapped explores the intersection between HIV science, innovation and visual artistry – envisioning new creative responses to HIV whilst paying tribute to how artistic expression has helped shape the scientific, medical, cultural and political response to HIV.
Using the notion of a lab coat as a premise, the project draws inspiration from the question: What would you wear as an HIV scientist/researcher that amplifies yourself and your work in HIV?
This global initiative began in 2024 as a partnership between ASHM and RMIT in Melbourne (AUS), and has since toured the world with exhibitions in the UK, Rwanda, USA, and across Australia.
It has been nominated for a 2026 GLAAD award in the category of Outstanding Long Form TV Journalism and a prestigious Schmidt Science Communications award for excellence and innovation in science communication.
HIV Unwrapped is a bold, global initiative that unites fashion, science, and storytelling to confront HIV stigma and reignite a critical cultural conversation in a way that is vibrant, human, and deeply relevant for a new generation.
At its core, HIV Unwrapped is a creative storytelling project rooted in collaboration, education, and empathy. These co-created original garments fuse science with lived experience and create visual expressions of innovation, struggle, and resilience in the ongoing fight against HIV. Each design becomes a narrative thread in a larger story about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going.
HIV Unwrapped is more than a fashion event — it is a movement of empathy, awareness, and cultural change. This project has the potential to reach hearts and minds far beyond the runway. This partnership only requires your belief in the power of visibility, storytelling, and legacy.