New York, NY – February 8, 2018: En Vogue performs on runway for Red Dress 2018 Collection Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom (Photo: Lev Radin/Gildshire)
New York, NY – February 8, 2018: Kate Walsh wearing gown by Rubin Singer walks runway for Red Dress 2018 Collection Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom (Photo: Lev Radin/Gildshire)
Cardiovascular disease touches everyone. A life brilliantly and actively lived, cut down too soon. Families plan holidays, vacations, and retirement on Sunday. Suddenly, shocked silence Monday morning. “She’s gone.” Two generations ago cardiovascular disease (or CVD) was something contracted by a disproportionate number of men. That is no longer the case. Today, mothers, wives and even daughters and granddaughters contract CVD at a rate equal to men. The power and publicity behind New York Fashion Week know the numbers. That’s why Macy’s and the American Heart Association put the Go Red for Women Red Dress show on the runway during New York Fashion Week. The place: Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. In attendance: More beauty fashion and fame than should be allowed in any one place. Gildshire’s Lev Radin was on the scene to take photos and get a sense of the passion for a cure in the room.
The show highlights included celebrities there for the cause. Most of these lovely and talented women are more familiar with scripted drama and comedy than strolling the catwalk. One of the lovely models decked out in red was Rachel Lindsay. That’s the current “Bachelorette!” She rubbed elbows with Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham of “Happy Days” fame.) It didn’t matter. They performed beautifully toward a common cause. The elimination of cardiovascular disease in our time. A cure for the afflicted. To call it a worthy cause is to diminish the urgency. What better time than New York Fashion Week? What better venue than this?
New York, NY – February 8, 2018: Rachel Lindsay wearing gown by Pamela Roland walks runway for Red Dress 2018 Collection Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom (Photo: Lev Radin/Gildshire)
Who walked the catwalk? An array of talent, including some locals.
Tatyana Ali is originally from North Bellmore. She was an important cast member in “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” and walked the runway in an ensemble designed by Macy’s incubator Taneasha Prunty. Ms. Ali said this:
“I’m going red to empower women and take on prevention.”
The stylish and lovely Melissa Joan Hart hails from Long Island on her way to becoming Sabrina the Teenage Witch. On this night, MJH conjured up elegance in John Paul Ataker.
Brooklyn-ite Marisa Tomei brightens up every movie in which she appears. On Red Dress Night, Ms. Tomei brightened the already bright night as she strolled the runway. My Cousin Vinny would approve.
Adrienne Bailon Houghton was born to a Puerto Rican/Ecuadoran family but was raised in Manhattan. So she calls New York home. On this night, though, Ms. Houghton nearly stole the show wearing Nicole Bakti.
New York, NY – February 8, 2018: Marisa Tomei wearing gown by Carmen Marc Valvo walks runway for Red Dress 2018 Collection Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom (Photo: Lev Radin/Gildshire)
The locals dazzled, but models from way, way out of town were here for the Red Dress Benefit Show. Lea Salonga is from The Philippines, and did we mention her star turn in “Les Miserables”, and “Miss Saigon?” She modeled Oliver Tolentino.
CeCe Winans’s journey to New York Fashion Week is a fascinating one. From urban Detroit to Grammy award-winning recording fame to Nashville and now to the pulpit. However, she brought that journey to Manhattan on this night and turned heads in Fame and Partners.
A fashion show, by itself, is great! However, what turns a great fashion show into a powerhouse night? Music and entertainment, of course! What better group to entertain this crowd than En Vogue? Yes, Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis and Rhona Bennett of En Vogue performed “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” “Hold On” and “Free Your Mind.” It was the culmination of a great night of great fashion, but for a much greater cause.
New York Fashion Week, a twice-yearly function of style and haute couture continues through Feb. 16, concluding with the U Models NYFW Party at the corner of 13th and Hudson. Between now and then, plenty of exciting fashion will be on display. That said, there will not be a more important gathering than the one held for cardiovascular disease awareness. Red Dress Night was more than a good time for a good cause. It was an urgent trumpet call for a population at risk. We’re glad to have been a part of it. To your health!
