Over 20 of today’s hottest celebrities together on the runway in fashions created by America’s top designers for women’s heart health. On Friday, February 13, under the tents in New York’s Bryant Park, The Heart Truth will hold its sixth annual Red Dress Collection Fashion Show—an inspiring event that celebrates the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. Checkout backstage photos of the Heart Truth 2005 Fall Collection here.

Heart Truth is making progress in the fight against heart disease in women—more women are aware that heart disease is their #1 killer, and fewer are dying from it.  But, one in four American women still dies of heart disease, and one-third of women still underestimate their own personal risk of heart disease.

Women have tremendous power to reduce their risk of heart disease.  By leading a healthy lifestyle, Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent.  Getting serious about heart disease can mean a longer, healthier life.

Also this February, through a partnership with Clothes Off Our Back, a selection of red designer dresses worn by celebrities in The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection Fashion Shows will be auctioned at www.clothesoffourback.org.  A selection of the dresses up for auction will be on display at Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock Observation Deck from February 14 through February 21.   Proceeds from the auction 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. Visit http://www.hearttruth.gov

With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week one month away, preparations are in full swing. Show producers, sponsors, fashion designers, members of the press, models and fashion followers from around the world will convene in New York City as the Fall 2009 Collections are presented. This season’s line up includes a number of established favorites, alongside emerging designers, who come together to let the fashion world know what they are up to.

“We are very proud and supportive of all the designers who continue to understand the power of the runway,” said Fern Mallis, SVP of IMG Fashion. “The effectiveness of producing a first-class, top notch show is the best marketing tool a designer has in this climate, and we look forward to working closely with each designer to maximize this opportunity.”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off with the 7th edition of The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2009 and is followed by  Yigal Azrou?l, Duckie Brown, Charlotte Ronson, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Nicole Miller, This Day/Arise Magazine: African Fashion Collective 2009, Academy of Art University, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, ADAM, Barbie Runway Show™, Verrier, Monarchy, Lela Rose, Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K, Sergio Davila, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Akiko Ogawa., Erin Fetherston, Miss Sixty, Farah Angsana, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Tracy Reese, Tony Cohen, Terexov, William Rast, Cynthia Steffe, Badgley Mischka, Matthew Williamson, Pamella Roland, Diesel Black Gold, Dennis Basso, Cho Cheng, MAX AZRIA, Tibi, J. Mendel, Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors, Richard Chai, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Milly by Michelle Smith, Anna Sui, Tommy Hilfiger, Brian Reyes, Rebecca Taylor, Ports 1961, Custo Barcelona, Zac Posen, Project Runway and Tadashi Shoji. DKNY, Calvin Klein Men’s Collection, Y-3, Jill Stuart, Donna Karan New York, Yeohlee, Z Zegna, Calvin Klein Women’s Collection and Ralph Lauren are associate members on the official Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week calendar with shows off-site. Further details and announcements on this event will follow.

The iconic Bryant Park Tents offer three venues this season: the Promenade, the Salon and the Tent. Over the course of 8 days, approximately 100,000 people will pass through the tents to attend shows, meet and greet, do interviews, and see the business of fashion continue to be done from morning to night.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express, M?A?C Cosmetics, Judith Ripka, YKK, W Hotels Worldwide, Havaianas, TRESemmé, Barbie®, The Heart Truth Campaign, VIACTIV® , Peroni, Chambord and Martini Gold Mixers as well as the following media outlets The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Getty Images. Each of these sponsors will be providing hospitality, services and amenities to make the hectic week of shows as effortless and pleasurable as possible for all attendees.