Heart Truth

Kim Cattrall in Carolina Herrera; Betsey Johnson in her own design.
Photos: imaxtree.com

Heart disease was on the agenda for designers and celebrity models at the first show during New York Fashion Week. In its fifth year, the Heart Truth campaign displayed the Red Dress Collection at Bryant Park on Friday. The campaign is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and is aimed at increasing awareness about women and the risk of heart disease.

Zac Posen, Donna Karan and Jovovich-Hawk were among the more than 20 designers who contributed to the collection. The one-of-a-kind red dresses were modeled by celebrities such as Kelly Ripa, Rachael Ray and Angela Bassett. Heart Truth campaign ambassador and first lady Laura Bush attended the event.

In 2002, Heart Truth introduced the red dress as the national symbol of heart disease awareness and showed during fashion week the following year. The creative campaign, which unveiled the collection on National Wear Red Day, has already received media attention from the fashion world. And in light of recent debate regarding overly thin models, the cause-based line provided a refreshing starting point for the week.