Fashion Week Kicks Off With A Worthy Cause

Fashion Week Kicks Off With A Worthy Cause


Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicked off today in New York to wonderful weather and a show that brought awareness to a health issue important to all women: heart disease. (It’s the No. 1 killer of women, according to the American Heart Association, and the leading cause of death for Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection Fashion Show featured actresses, songstresses, and divas in their own right, walking the runway wearing ambient shades of crimson. Sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood INstitute (NHLBI), this show sought to educate women about heart health.

This cause is an especially important one for African Americans, since black adults are less likely to be diagnosed with coronary heart disease, however they are more likely to die from heart disease, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health.

Standouts in the show included legendary “Roots” actress Cicely Tyson, who graced the runway wearing a glorious smile (and a fierce bob cut) with a fabulous silk coat dress by designer B Michael. Actress Vivica Fox took to the runway with pizazz (and rousing cheers) wearing a V-neck, sequined Jenny Packham gown, accented by a funky ponytail and open-toe stilettos.  And actress Nia Long wore a dainty, flowered-accented number by Tracy Reese.

Other celebrity models included CBS’s Katie Couric, actress Susan Lucci, pop star Hilary Duff, 90210’s Tori Spelling, and Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi.

Diet Coke was the presenting sponsor of the event, and crystal design company Swarovski and Johnson & Johnson were co-sponsors.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week continues tonight with shows fromVenexiana, Nicole Miller, and THISDAY/ARISE Magazine’s African Fashion Collective show, which will feature clothing from some of the top African designers.


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