Red Dress Collection Fashion Show

(photos courtesy of Diet Coke)

Wednesday night for me was the official kick off to New York Fashion week! And I couldn't think of a better way to kick it off then to celebrate women's health and fashion with Diet Coke and The Heart Truth^®  campaign at the Red Dress Collection^SM Fashion Show. For me the venue held personal memories, I grew up in the City and spent most of my teen years going to concerts-- the Hammerstein Ballroom being one those venues that I had visited on a number of occasions. It was a beautiful and unique backdrop to the event...especially the birds eye view that you had from the upper decks of the hall looking down at hair and make-up.

I love strong woman. And I love strong woman in bold dresses. Seeing woman like Gabby Douglas, Jillian Michaels, and Savannah Guthrie strut their stuff made me feel strong...inspired to go do great things. These woman in particular stand out to me not because the designer that they strut down the runway in but because I have let them into my home and my daily life. If you follow me on any social media network you'd know my love for the Biggest Loser, my obsession over the Summer Olympics, and my random tweets about something going on on the Today Show.

(photos courtesy of Diet Coke)

I couldn't explain to you my overwhelming feeling of excitement to see Jillian Michaels. She is an amazing woman who has battled with her own struggles and is now giving back ten folds. She not only helps people find themselves by getting fit but also by getting them to find themselves, to fight those battles within. She's strong inside and out. And we definitely saw the outside bit down the runway. She might have looked unsteady in those heels but the Cushine Et Ochs dress looked stunning on her.

(photos courtesy of Diet Coke)

Gabby Douglas is a role model to every woman and girl of color or not. She is the prime example of follow your dreams. This is girl who moved miles away to follow her dreams, this is also the same girl who called her mom and sister to tell them that she wanted to give up on gymnastics, her sister of course wouldn't let you (another example of the type of people you need to surrond yourself with). Now here she is not only a Olympic Gymnast but a Olympic Gymnast who won Gold in the All-Arounds and as a member of the USA Women's Gymnastic Team. She is the first woman to who have won both medals in one Olympics, and she is the first African American to win the All-Around. She is everything I want to be...fearless, brace...she a constant reminder to keep on pursuing my dreams. Sometimes you might want to throw your hands up and give up but then you need to remember what you are doing it all for, everyone has those days. Not only is she beautiful on the inside but on the outside as well. She was positively radiant in her Pamella Roland gown. The silhouette was age appropriate, especially with the high low hem, and her smile was the perfect accessory.

(photos courtesy of Diet Coke)

Every morning I get up turn on Today show and go about my morning routine, then sit down on the couch in front of the TV to catch whatever story they have going on before I need to leave for work. I have watched Savannah Guthrie start out on the Today Show as a interest story anchor to the co-host anchor chair. She is smart, funny, and just down right relatable  She's the woman that I wouldn't mind getting to know and picking her brain all at the same time. The beautiful off the shoulder Carolina Herrera was perfect to flatter her figure. Plus the detail bow on the back with the bit of pink gave it a pop.

I feel so lucky and blessed in have been in the same room with these woman and many others that are making strides in their communities and their lives. Thank you to Diet Coke for giving me this amazing opportunity to have shared this with you all! Don't forget to get involved and to continue to #showyourheart. Tweet or Facebook #showyourheart and Diet Coke will make a $1 donation
to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (up to $100,000) to support heart
health research and programs.

UPDATE!
Finally got around to post this video that I took of the final walks on my iPhone!

Red Dress CollectionSM Fashion Show from Fashionista NY Girl on Vimeo.

*The Heart Truth, its logo, and The Red Dress are registered trademarks of HHS.  Red Dress Collection is a service mark of HHS.
**This is a sponsored post.