LatinaLista — Though what’s happening on Wall Street and in Congress is having a lot of people seeing red these days, it’s time to wear the color. No, not to show your displeasure with how things are going in the country but to show you know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women.
Today is National Wear Red Day, part of the national Heart Truth campaign, where everyone is supposed to wear red to remember the sad facts about heart disease in women.
Yet for multiculturals (minorities), heart disease is a far more common killer.
Heart disease disproportionately affects women of color. African American and Hispanic women in particular have high rates of the major risk factors for heart disease, including obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Since 2002, National Wear Red Day has been symbolized by a jeweled red dress pin. This year, the red dress goes from a fashionable jewelry accessory to the fashion runway. The 2009 Red Dress Collection debuts as part of the national Heart Truth campaign.
As part of its annual participation in New York’s Fashion Week, the Red Dress collection will be strutted down the runway worn by well known celebrities. The dresses are designed by famous designers ranging from Betsey Johnson and Carolina Herrera to Marc Jacobs and Narciso Rodriguez.
Grey’s Anatomy” Star Sara Ramirez’s Red Runway Gown Designed by Angel Sanchez. The strapless dress is made of 100% silk and features a fitted bodice that opens to an A- line, pleated, skirt. The floor-length gown is fully lined and features a side zipper with a top hook and eye closure.
But that’s not the best part. Each of the dresses in the collection will be auctioned online.
For the first time ever, starting on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 6, a selection of dresses worn by celebrities in Red Dress Collection fashion shows will be available for the public to bid on at www.clothesoffourback.org through a partnership with the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and will be used to further efforts related to women’s heart health awareness and research.
The five dresses worn by the participating celebrities (Kelly Ripa, Rachel Ray, Vanessa Williams, Today co-anchor Natalie Morales and Grey’s Anatomy Sara Ramirez) are online with bidding underway and closing on February 27.
While the dresses are beautiful, opening bids are pricey and the sizes vary from 0 to 10. The site promises to add accessories and the runway’s makeup looks on Friday, February 13.
As an added bonus for those who live or are visiting NYC, the collection is available for viewing.
If you’re visiting the New York City area February 14– February 21, visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to see an inspiring display of the red dresses from this one-of-a-kind collection. Red Dress Collection 2009 sponsor Swarovski is the official sponsor of Top of the Rock, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
