February 13, 2012

The Heart Truth: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week F/W 2012

By Tiffany Piñero, Fashion Week Correspondent

Every year, The Red Dress Collection is the fabulous fireworks display that kicks off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. Raising awareness for the fastest-growing killer among women, heart disease, Diet Coke and The Heart Truth organization do a tremendous job to bring this to our attention in a language we all speak – fashion! And this year marked the 10th year of their commitment to women’s heart health – wow.

Throw some legendary celebrities in the mix (Chaka Khan, anyone?) and all eyes were on the runway. And, oh yes, Chaka came out to “I’m every woman” while wearing a design by Project Runway winner Chris March. Christie Brinkley did a signature strut to “Uptown Girl” in Pamella Roland and Gloria Estefan was another timeless diva who gave the catwalk some clout in Narciso Rodriguez. A very dapper-looking Michael Phelps became part of the show when his mother Debbie sashayed down in a design by Adrianna Papell, and when she reached the end of the runway, she beckoned him for a kiss. Obviously, we all went wild. My favorite looks of the night were Rebecca Romijn in a flowy Marchesa and Minka Kelly in a Studio 54-esque long-sleeve, floor-length all-sequin wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Looking at that gave me disco fever – the good kind.