DALLAS, Feb 5, 2010 / FW/ — Though we will be seeing “The Heart Truth: The Red Dress Collection” at the Tents at Bryant Park, Project Runway brought the “red dress” on television by holding the “Design Your Heart Out” Red Dress Challenge.
Sponsored by Campbell Soup as part of the company’s “AdDress Your Heart” campaign, the “Design Your Heart Out” Red Dress Challenge at Project Runway was designed to raise awareness and fund for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement.
To put faces and names to heart disease, the number one killer of women in America, heart disease survivors were invited to become the inspiration and to walk the runway for the competing designers.
The show’s panel of famous judges selected Plano, Texas designer Amy Sarabi’s silk red dress as the winner, worn with confidence by American Heart Association (AHA) ambassador Nadine Jenkins from East Orange, N.J.
Jenkins, a 45-year-old mother of four, learned that she suffered a silent heart attack when she was just 33 years-old and had an implantable cardiac defibrillator placed into her chest five years later, at age 37. Jenkins is proud of the steps she’s taken to become a heart-disease survivor.
“Remember, you can be young and beautiful and still have heart disease, so know your risk factors, eat right, exercise and always love your heart.”
The winning designer, Sarabi, was motivated by Jenkins’ perseverance and positive attitude. “I designed a dress to showcase Nadine’s confidence and demonstrate her spirit in the fight against heart disease. I am thrilled the judges chose my Campbell red dress design – it’s an honor to be a part of such an important cause.”
As part of the reward for winning the challenge, both Jenkins and Sarabi will join Tim Gunn on the red carpet at the Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards in New York City on Feb. 10, 2010.
In addition, a limited edition replica of Sarabi’s winning dress will be sold on ProjectRunway.com with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. The dress will also become part of the Campbell red dress collection joining creations by noted designers Nicole Miller, Lisa Perry and Michael Vollbracht for Bill Blass.
