HEART AND SOUL

The debut of design stars isn't the only thing making news at L'Oréal Fashionweek this year. The first annual Heart Truth Fashion Show takes to the runways on March 18th, bringing together some of Canada's top designers and female celebrities for this worthy strut down the catwalk.

Heart disease and stroke is the leading cause of death for Canadian women. "But women don't know that and that's something we've got to change," says Bobbe Wood, President and CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation in British Columbia and the Yukon.

Inspired by America's successful red dress campaign, The Heart Truth Campaign launched in Canada on February 4, 2008 to raise awareness about heart disease and strokes among women. "We developed a fantastic program, one component of which is The Heart Truth Fashion Show," says Wood. "We've been absolutely blown away by the willingness of these designers and celebrities to participate. They really understand the importance of this issue and willingly lent their time and star power to help make this show happen."

From red dress pins to the Heart Truth booth that will be open to answer women's questions during the fashion shows, Wood says, "We want everyone to understand that you can fight this disease."

The fact is 80 percent of the risk for heart attacks and strokes is modifiable through our lifestyle habits. "That's huge," says Wood. "That gives women incredible power both individually and collectively as a community to reduce their risks."

Red dress duos:
Charmaine Crooks and Ramona Keveza
Five-time Olympian Charmaine Crooks has never suffered from heart disease. Yet if anyone understands the importance of a healthy lifestyle this Canadian star does.

A competitive athlete for 20 years, Crooks says, "We women have to empower ourselves. We're all under great strain today and finding the time to care for ourselves is difficult. But if we can increase awareness about heart disease and stroke and adopt a healthier lifestyle that's a good thing for all of us."

Her designer of choice for the inaugural Heart Truth Fashion Show was Ramona Keveza. In fact, Keveza has created gowns for the last three World Sports Awards shows Crooks has hosted in Monaco with Prince Albert.

"The dresses fit like a glove. They're classic with a modern twist," says Crooks. "Every time Ramona hits it out of the park."

"We're thrilled to be part of this amazing event," says Keveza, whose own grandmother suffered from heart disease. "I remember being a very little girl when she had a heart attack. It's very scary to think you could lose a maternal figure in your family in this way."

As Keveza says, "Every woman is someone's mother, daughter, sister or aunt. It's just tragic to see them lost to heart disease and stroke because it can be prevented."

The chance to dress "this heroine for our country" was one the New York-based designer welcomed. "I have people from Hollywood and royalty from Europe wearing my dresses. But it's lovely to be able to dress a fellow Canadian," says Keveza.

The red, off-the-shoulder ruffled gown Keveza created captures some of the key trends for Fall 2008. "You're going to see a lot of one-shoulder dressing this season," says Keveza. "Ruffles are everywhere and streamlined silhouettes are definitely making big news this season."

Lori Racicot, Miss Canada 2008 and Andy The Anh

Working as she does as a medical electrophysiology technologist at Montreal's Sacré-Coeur Hospital, Miss Canada Lori Racicot understands all too well how devastating heart disease and strokes can be.

"I have a professional connection to this disease," says Racicot, who conducts cardiology exams and other specialized medical tests when she's not wearing her Miss Canada crown. As Racicot says, "I may not have any friends or family who have been touched by it. But I still wanted to part of this show."

Racicot will strut the runway wearing a glam red dress by Canadian designer Andy The Anh. "It's very detailed and has a lot of pleating. But it's very rich and very fitted. That's the story of the entire collection," says Anh.

"As a designer working for women I had to get involved with this show," says Anh. "Heart disease can happen to any individual. It's such a good cause. You can't refuse something like that."

 

Written by: Constance Droganes, entertainment writer, CTV.ca

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