Jacob Alexander is a menswear designer based in London, of which he is due to graduate his final year of study as a Creative Director at London College of Fashion this summer.
In March he gave a TEDx talk on his project, The Positive Project and launched his mobile application for android and iOS devices in May just recently. You can find it if you search for Jacobs brand or the project in your mobile device’s app store; JACOB ALXNDR or The Positive Project. Jacobs project has also gained sponsorship from The Royal Family’s Embroidery Company and is in close discussion with Chelsea & Westminster’s Sexual Health Services as they want to distribute his content throughout all their clinics in the UK on the digital screens, MTV & Pasante have contacted him too. To add to that list - since releasing his project he has also been contacted by The Stonewall Group to give talks to young children in schools across the UK about HIV, this is important to Jacob and his brand's values as he feels it is something that needs to be taught from a younger age.
As an emerging menswear designer, Jacobs brand aims to add sexuality and freedom to what I think society’s current predetermined socially acceptable styles are, par to the sexual preference of a young modern man.
The Positive Project will run alongside JACOB ALXNDR, as the brand will also be donating a percentage of all sales to the charity.
Right now there is no other emerging menswear brand out there that is directly targeting HIV as an issue. JACOB ALXNDR is also the first menswear brand to debut an interactive mobile application for the brand’s charity project, alongside the release of his debut capsule collection. This app offers users an educational experience whilst capitalising on social media trends of the selfie. Jacobs project addresses today’s issues surrounding HIV; it’s transmission, prevention, elimination and most importantly to JACOB ALXNDR as a brand and the designer himself, He wants to eradicate the stigma that many of us have forgotten is still around today.
If you would like to attend and find out more about Jacobs mission and future email Jacob (email below) to attend his show on the 9th JUNE @ 6pm, where afterwards he will be delivering his TEDx talk again on the issues surrounding the HIV Virus and his mobile application. But please arrive with enough time allowed to get to your seat before the show starts.
Jacobs Mission Statement:
"The Positive Project aims to benefit and better the lives of those living with the HIV virus, targeting a younger audience especially, as coming to terms with diagnosis can be quite difficult for some at a young age as their resources for help and advice can be limited. Through the distribution of The Positive Project merchandise, the target is to shine a positive light on the HIV virus and those who have it. As despite the vast general public having a loose knowledge on the virus, treatment and life after diagnosis, the founder of this charity; Jacob Alexander, after his diagnosis felt that there was very much still a stigma attached to the virus and he saw that those who are HIV positive can be treated differently still. The Positive Project has an aim to get a plus symbol in each country around the world on The Positive Project’s GeoMap in the mobile application. With the mission of spreading the right kind of positivity around the globe, seeing this symbol being worn on the streets with pride and no negative connotations attached to the virus or again, those who are living with it.
All funding and proceeds donated to The Positive Project will go toward HIV research for treatment and to provide better care for HIV patients. A proportion of the money received will be donated directly to The St Stephen’s Centre in West London; they work hands on with the Dean Street & Chelsea & Westminster sexual Health Services - housing Europe’s leading laboratory’s for research on the above - to better the lives of those who are HIV positive, to fund further studies to then produce even better medicines and hopefully one day, a vaccine."The Positive Project aims to benefit and better the lives of those living with the HIV virus, targeting a younger audience especially, as coming to terms with diagnosis can be quite difficult for some at a young age as their resources for help and advice can be limited. Through the distribution of The Positive Project merchandise, the target is to shine a positive light on the HIV virus and those who have it. As despite the vast general public having a loose knowledge on the virus, treatment and life after diagnosis, the founder of this charity; Jacob Alexander, after his diagnosis felt that there was very much still a stigma attached to the virus and he saw that those who are HIV positive can be treated differently still. The Positive Project has an aim to get a plus symbol in each country around the world on The Positive Project’s GeoMap in the mobile application. With the mission of spreading the right kind of positivity around the globe, seeing this symbol being worn on the streets with pride and no negative connotations attached to the virus or again, those who are living with it.
The charity’s logo being a dimensional plus is a representation of positivity, the plus already holding strong visual links to positive energy, the extra added dimension to the shape represents the depth of the care and energy it takes for those living with the virus to get through their initial diagnosis as HIV positive. Furthermore, the glow emitted by the logo represents the positive after-feeling, once having got through the emotional battle that comes with the early stages after being diagnosed, and obtaining that feeling and letting one self shine for who they are and who they were before the virus entered not just their bloodstream, but their lives."
E: Jacob@Jacobalxndr.com
Social Media Handle: @JACOBALXNDR
