In a bid to raise awareness of heart disease, 26 women representing 26 organizations took to the catwalk all dressed in red for the Heart Truth, at Bryant Park studious during Olympus Fashion Week in New York. The red dresses designed by the leading designers including Ralph Lauren, Narciso Rodriguez and Oscar de la Renta, were modeled by high-profile celebrities, the likes of Sheryl Crow, Candace Bushnell, Rosanna Arquette, Christie Brinkley and Sarah Ferguson, the British Duchess of York.

The show focused on attracting the public’s attention to the sad statistics of heart disease being the main cause of death of women in America. The truth is: one of the three women dies of heart disease, but only 57% are aware of the fact.

“I battled obesity for years, and I know that being overweight is one of the risk factors associated with heart disease,” Sarah Ferguson said in a backstage interview to the Fashion Windows.

“The Heart Truth brings that fact to light, and I want to help other women overcome that risk factor. Also, American has been good to me and I want to return a favor,” added the Duchess of York, who launched the Heart Truth together with the first lady Laura Bush, who is also an Honorary Chairman of The Heart Truth.

Bush’s niece Lauren was among the models wearing a red dress designed by Tommy Hilfiger. Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole and Zac Posen also provided red dressed for the occasion.

Photo by Javier Mateo, www.fashionwindows.com