The Red Dress Collection show opened New York Fashion Week 2009 with a bang. The energy in the main tent at Bryant Park was contagious. Everyone—guests, editors, celebs— were stirring with excitement and dressed in red to support The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign that warns women about their risk of heart disease.

The moment I entered the tent, I scoured the front row for celebrity guests while songs like “All the Single Ladies” and “Crazy in Love” blasted through the speakers. Stars like the adorable Mark Indelicato from Ugly Betty and Christian Siriano from Project Runway posed for pictures and gave out interviews, reminding press why they were there: to support a great cause.

Before the show, I had the chance to meet the key make-up artist, Bobbi Brown and she, too, was thrilled to be part of such an important event. She reminded me that for many women the symptoms of heart disease most often go unnoticed. We talked more about the national campaign and then she looked over her shoulder and gave me a big smile and said, “And of course I’m also here because the show is a blast!”

And a blast it was! After Tim Gunn, famous Project Runway mentor, opened the show with a warm welcome, the stars began their runway walks. Amanda Bynes rocked the runway in a short, strapless dress by Daniel Swarrovski, followed by the beautiful Jennie Garth (in Badgley Mischka) who smiled and waved to her husband Peter Facillini. Nastia Liukin was workin’ it in a hot red BCBG LRD! The crowd roared when 90210’s Tori Spelling followed Jennie up, swaying her hips and bouncing down the runway in a short Betsey Johnson dress. But it was evident who the real stars of the show were: Cicely Tyson, who spun around the runway in her B. Michael gown hamming it up for the cameras, and Susan Lucci who before the show told me she was doing this for someone close to her she had lost to heart disease. As Ms. Lucci walked down the runway, the sash on her Gustavo Cadile dress lifted and floated in the air. She smiled at the crowd and stretched her arms out and, for a moment, it almost appeared as if she had wings.

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Stay tuned for interviews with Hillary Duff, Bobbi Brown, and Kristi Yamaguchi!

For more backstage, red carpet, and runway photos of your favorite Red Dress celebrities jump over to our gallery.

Photos & Videos: Kate Monahan

Read more about Fashion Week: Charlotte Ronson, Yigal Azrouel, A Day in the Life of Fashion Week, and more!