Former Marine Daniel Penny Makes Modeling Debut at NYC Charity Fashion Show Following Acquittal
Daniel Penny, the former Marine who was acquitted earlier this year in connection with the death of Jordan Neely, stepped into a new spotlight Saturday night as he made his modeling debut at the prestigious “Dressed to Kilt” charity fashion show on New York’s Upper East Side.
Dressed in a traditional Scottish kilt that embodied the event’s theme “Country Couture – From the Scottish Highlands to Fifth Avenue,” Penny walked confidently down the runway to Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero” as attendees greeted him with enthusiastic applause.
During Penny’s introduction, charity co-founder Geoffrey Scott Carrol highlighted the model’s Scottish heritage, noting that mentions of his family could be traced back to the 12th century in Scotland. Carrol also emphasized Penny’s identity as “a very proud New Yorker and a very, very proud Marine.”
Carrol went on to characterize Penny as “a hero to all the inhabitants” of the subway car where the controversial 2023 incident took place. “He leaped into action as a passenger on a subway car when a potential assailant started threatening women, children and elderly people with a knife,” Carrol stated. It should be noted that according to authorities, Jordan Neely, who had been shouting threats to passengers before Penny restrained him with a headlock, was not armed with any weapon during the altercation.
The “Dressed to Kilt” event, now recognized as the world’s largest and most prestigious Scottish fashion show according to the Scottish Banner, was co-founded in 2003 by the late “James Bond” actor Sean Connery and Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll. The show has featured many notable figures over the years, including Ivanka Trump, comedian Mike Myers, and actor Alan Cumming.
Saturday’s event was held at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, a venue selected in part for its historical significance as a post-Civil War parish that provided care for veterans in need, according to information from the charity’s website.
The charitable fashion show directs substantial donations toward veterans’ causes and maintains a partnership with the Navy Seal Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the families of Navy SEALs.
Penny’s appearance marks a significant shift in public presence for the former Marine, occurring less than four months after his acquittal in the highly publicized case involving Jordan Neely’s death on a Manhattan subway in May 2023.