RED MAKES AN IMPRESSION ON THE RUNWAY
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
The startling reality is that women between the ages of 40 to 60 years of age are at great risk of heart disease. Until they are educated on the symptoms that lead to heart disease and seek preventative treatment, this silent killer will continue to take its victims. Statistics show that over 43 million women are affected at present.
This season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014 New York, celebrities took part in a fashion show that not only highlighted how stunning the color red can be on the runway, but also to make the world aware of a disease that can be as devastating as cancer.
GO RED FOR WOMEN® / THE HEART TRUTH ® RED DRESS COLLECTION took place on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at the Theatre in Lincoln Center on the opening night of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014. The corporate sponsors who made it all possible were Subway and Macy’s. Macy’s devotion to the cause was evident as Macy’s Chief Marketing Officer, Martine Reardon, appeared on behalf of her company. She was introduced by American Heart Association’s CEO, Nancy Brown.
Martine gave a brief update on the progress that Macy’s has helped to make in the fight against heart disease. The company, through its dedication and with the assistance of its hundreds of employees, has raised over $46 million which has gone towards research and education in the effort to find a cure. She introduced the dynamic entrepreneur and television personality, Star Jones, spokesperson for ‘Go Red’. Star herself is a survivor of heart disease realizing that her main purpose in life is to raise awareness about heart disease and make sure that the research continues to someday find a cure. So far, she has done a remarkable job with the task at hand. There were also three other survivors in the audience, all wearing red, powerful and poignant women who beat the battle.
This wasn’t your ordinary fashion show like the ones that will continue to be streamed live throughout the week. Some of the leading designers in the fashion industry dressed these celebrity models in red. Adorable AnnaSophie Robb wore a strapless red and black Alice & Olivia gown and was full of energy and pizzazz. Celebrity chef, Giada De Laurentiis, wore a capped sleeve red gown by Carolina Herrera with plunging v-neckline.
Nene Leakes was in Dolce & Gabbana, Jill Hennessy was in Dennis Basso, Ireland Baldwin was in Donna Karan and all are familiar names that took part in this philanthropic event.
Athlete Lindsey Vonn would not have missed this show for the world and strutted down the runway on crutches in a long-sleeved red sheath from designer, Cynthia Rowley.
The greatest part of the whole evening was the mixture of generations that came together on one runway to speak the same language, let’s ‘Go Red’ for the cause. Young Bella Thorne looked elegant and aristocratic in Badgley Mischka. Seventy year-old television star, Joan Van Ark, took to the runway to represent her generation in a Mark Zunino jumpsuit. Also wearing a sleeveless red jumpsuit designed by Catherine Malandrino, was rocker Joan Jett, still going strong.
GO RED FOR WOMEN® / THE HEART TRUTH ® RED DRESS COLLECTION continues to make a stalwart statement as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness across the nation and across the world since 2002. Each time we see a special set of women walk the runway, we are reminded that we must protect our heart and our health and take preventative measures so we can always live life to its fullest. A night of memorable fashion was all about improving heart and health.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES (Frazer Harrison)
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