Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Opens with “The Red Dress Collection” Runway Show

The celebrity models gather for a group picture for the Go Red Dress Collection Show at Lincoln Center.

The Red Dress Collection kicked off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City last night with a star-studded runway backed this year by the first-ever collaboration of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) awareness campaign, The Heart Truth.  This runway show is always one of our favorites because of the celebrity models vamping their way down the runway.   It’s the only time you’ll see models in all shapes and sizes, not to mention dresses made of Subway sandwich paper wrappers, at New York Fashion Week this season!

Ireland Baldwin, wearing Donna Karen, walks the runway at Go Red For Women – The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2014 (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

Celebrities in this year’s runway show included Nene Leakes, Ireland Baldwin, Lindsey Vonn, AnnaSophia Robb, Colbie Caillat, Giada De Laurentiis, Bella Thorne, Daphne Oz and Jill Martin. The runway was alive with gorgeous  red gowns created by top designers including Carolina Herrera, Nicole Miller, Carmen Marc Valvo and Mark Zunino.

AnnaSophia Robb, wearing Alice + Olivia, walks the runway at Go Red For Women – The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2014  (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

The show also showcased emerging designers  Lagi Nadeau, Annina King, and Sarah Liller from Fashion Incubator programs housed at Macy’s in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Nene Leakes walks the runway wearing Dolce and Gabbana at Go Red For Women – The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2014 (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

 Twenty-two celebrities strutted down the  runway in their own style.   We loved Real Housewife of Atlanta , Nene Leakes rocking Dolce and Gabbana.   Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis looked red carpet ready in Carolina Herrera.

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, wearing Carolina Herrera, walks the runway at Go Red For Women – The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection 2014  (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

Over the past decade, Macy’s has brought awareness of the issue to consumers across America raising $46 million for the cause through efforts like the Red Dress pin sale and three exclusive red dresses that give 10 percent of the purchase price back to Go Red.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and the Red Dress Collection Fashion Show is sponsored by both Macy’s and SUBWAY^® restaurants.