Fashion with allotta heart

It is always a welcome feeling to realize that fashion does more than dress people and that major fashion events can be used to bring attention to major health issues.

Last Friday, during New York Fashion Week, the red dress was celebrated as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness for the second season. A list of top designers participated in the collection, as did a surprising group of models on the runway.

As the campaign's national ambassador, Barbara Bush enjoyed a standing ovation before taking her seat in the audience. Last season, she hosted the show. Also making a second appearance was singer and actress Vanessa Williams, who modelled last season and did so again last week. Furthermore, she took over the role of host from Mrs. Bush.

Creations by major designers like Nicole Miller, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Baby Phat, Carolina Herrera, Diane von Furstenburg, Narciso Rodriguez, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen and Marc Jacobs were modelled by the likes of supermodel Christie Brinkley, the president's niece Laura Bush, Sarah Ferguson, Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell, actress Rosanna Arquette, singer Sheryll Crow and tennis superstar Venus Williams.

TV's Katie Couric, who attended the show, said: " I think it's an incredibly wonderful effort. The fashion community, as an industry, really cares about women. Of course they care about beautiful clothes, but they also really care about women." She then added: "I love red so I'm glad it's coming back."

The event was organized in conjunction with the Heart Truth campaign, for which the dresses were exclusively designed.