Dressed With Purpose: American Heart Association Holds Annual Red Dress Collection Concert

Stars across music, sports, and television braved the New York City cold in a sea of red ensembles for the American Heart Association Red Dress Collection Concert. The annual event blends music, fashion, and philanthropy for a night of celebration – but more importantly, raises awareness.

As heart disease remains the number 1 cause of death in women, the American Heart Association makes a valiant effort to ensure that by the end of the night, attendees know the statistics and the most pressing piece of advice: don’t ignore the signs, get help.

Pretty Little Liars star Sasha Pieterse, who went through 18 different doctors before learning about her PCOS diagnosis, told us how important it is to advocate for your health. 

“We put off a lot of things… It’s like ‘oh no that’s fine’ or ‘that went away,’ but so often symptoms are connected,” she stated. 

Singer-songwriter and producer Chlöe Bailey echoed the sentiment, discussing how women are often unlikely to put themselves first, even when it’s necessary.

“It’s important for me to be here, not just to show up and feel and look pretty, but to represent for all of the women who sometimes neglect themselves because they’re doing so much for so many others.”

NFL player Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest in the middle of a Monday Night Football game in 2023, is now an ambassador for the organization. With this year being his third year at the event, he talked to us about what it means to use his platform for the cause. 

“Every year, the impact continues to grow. I’m just glad to continue to use my platform to stand up for others and spread good messages like CPR is a superpower. To know and to perform it is like being a superhero.” 

Red Dress Collection Concert

After the carpet closed, guests took their seats for a stellar fashion show and concert. Nineteen fabulous women, including Pieterse, Bailey, Normani, Amaya ‘Papaya’ Espinal, Selma Blair, Kandi Burruss, Riley Burruss, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Jane Seymour, graced the stage, strutting their stuff to empowering anthems. 

Amy Grant not only walked the runway, but also performed during the evening and received the Woman Changing the World Award.

Closing out the evening was a set by Nicole Scherzinger, who performed a mix of Broadway classics, including a ballad from the musical Sunset Blvd., which earned her a Tony in 2025. She also had the crowd singing along to Prince’s “Purple Rain,” before truly bringing the house down by ending the night with classic hits from The Pussycat Dolls.

The Red Dress Collection Concert once again proved that heart health awareness can take center stage anywhere, one dress at a time.