Inside the 2025 American Heart Association Red Dress Collection Concert
New York City’s Lincoln Center was a sea of red as celebrities and advocates gathered for the American Heart Association’s Red Dress Collection Concert. This annual event seamlessly merges fashion, entertainment, and philanthropy to spotlight a critical issue: women’s heart health—an ailment that claims the life of one woman every 80 seconds.
Before the show, we caught up with some of the evening’s stars, who shared why this cause is so close to their hearts.
Emmy Award-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas emphasized the importance of awareness within the Latina community, stating, “As Latinas, 37% suffer from heart and pulmonary issues. So, I’m excited to remind everyone to put ourselves first, to take care of ourselves a little more.”
Sarah Drew, known for her role on Grey’s Anatomy and her personal connection to heart health through her family’s experiences, admitted to feeling nervous about walking the runway but remained focused on the bigger picture. “This event is an opportunity to get the word out,” she shared.
Registered nurse and content creator Nurse Blake called awareness for women’s heart health “the most important,” urging everyone to prioritize self-care: “You’ve got to love yourself.”
Once the red carpet wrapped up, hundreds of guests took their seats for a breathtaking fashion show and concert, hosted by Sharon Stone, who survived a life-threatening stroke in 2001. Her message to attendees was clear: “Do not wait. Get help… even if you have to throw yourself into oncoming traffic, get help.”
The evening also honored Sarah “Sally” Ross Soter, a dedicated philanthropist and leader in women’s health initiatives. American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown presented Soter with the Woman Changing the World Award in recognition of her pivotal role in funding groundbreaking programs, including the Go Red for Women Venture Fund, the first Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network, and the Atrial Fibrillation Strategically Focused Research Network.
Seventeen dazzling female stars, including Teyana Taylor, Porsha Williams, Jaimie Alexander, Drew, Miss America Abbie Stockard, and Colón-Zayas, took to the catwalk in stunning designer ensembles, captivating the audience until the very last step.
Between stints on the catwalk, guests were treated to performances by Daisy Jones & the Six‘s Suki Waterhouse. Grammy and Tony Award-winner Sara Bareilles also took the stage, performing some of her greatest hits, including “Love Song,” “Gravity,” and “She Used to Be Mine,” and closed out with a singalong to “Brave.”
From heartfelt speeches to show-stopping fashion, the Red Dress Collection Concert was not just a night of glamour—it was a powerful reminder that heart health awareness can, and does, save lives. For more information on the American Heart Association, click here.
Writer | Tweet me @brittanyskylerr
