The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection Concert 2025 and Red Carpet, kicked off American Heart Month and New York Fashion Week in style for a good cause. The American Heart Association’s annual event for raising awareness of heart disease in women, was hosted by Sharon Stone, a stroke survivor, and an array of celebrities, including Susan Lucci, Busy Phillips, Teyana Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, and Susan Kelechi Watson, to help support the cause. So many celebrities have their own intimate stories of how cardiovascular disease has touched their lives. The evening was a way for them to honor women, family and friends touched by heart disease and to raise awareness for prevention.
Heart advocate, Dr. ShantaQuillete Develle, known as “Dr. Q,” shared that, “Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in the US, and it claims more lives than cancer alone. And so, being at two-time stroke and heart attack survivor, I’m raising awareness advocacy and education because we want to make sure that we reduce it. 45% of women it’s over the age of 20 have cardiovascular disease, and they don’t even know it, and especially Black women, women of color. And there are so many disparities out there that we actually have to fight, we have to talk. And so, I want to be a voice for those women that can’t speak for themselves.”
Porsha Williams is also passionate about bringing awareness to women and heart disease and has many friends and family members who have cardiovascular disease. Williams told us, that, “The most special thing about tonight is women supporting women who have dealt with cardiovascular disease. Showing them that we love them and bringing awareness to a cause that is near and dear to my heart.”
Actor Shohreh Aghdashloo, told us that this event is particularly important to her in light of her own experience with heart disease. “I have had mitral valve prolapse since I was young. My heart beats fast sometimes. I have dealt with it my whole life.”
Miss Colorado, Alexandra Lotko, who recently returned from the Miss America 2024 pageant, said that, “You know, all of my sisters and my friends and my family are so important to me. So being a good role model for young women is just the most important thing for me. We have a Miss America Fit initiative, and heart health goes hand in hand with that.”
Photo Credit – Getty Images
Despite the discussion of cardiovascular disease those on the Red Carpet had a blast, including Alan Cumming who accompanied actor, Saffron Burrows. Cumming told me, “I’m just arm candy tonight.” When I asked who made his red suit, Cumming had to take off his jacket to tell me, “Hugo Boss!”
Following the Red Carpet, the concert and fashion show, hosted by Sharon Stone, did not disappoint, with music from Sara Bareilles and Suki Waterhouse. Most of the women on the runway changed into different red gowns and clearly enjoyed their time in the spotlight, knowing that they were there for such a worthy cause.
