Random celebrity casting is pretty much a given at the Red Dress collection runway show, and this year’s Feb. 11 event should continue that reputation.
Officially billed as “The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection 2016, presented by Macy’s,” the event’s sponsor is aiming to up the social media reach. Vine star Lele Pons, the Justin Bieber-discovered musician Madison Beer and YouTube standout Gigi Gorgeous will be modeling. Many in the consumer-heavy crowd at Moynihan Station will no doubt recognize another viral sensation, 2015 Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. Anyone uncertain about navigating fashion week might catch up with Pons, who recently finished writing her first book, “Surviving High School: A Novel.”
“Empire” fans will zero in on Serayah McNeill and Ta’Rhonda Jones (in a dress by Conrad Booker, one of the three Macy’s Incubator designers to have their creations on the catwalk). “Full House” actress Candace Cameron Bure will wear Badgley Mischka, “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons will wear a Nicole Miller frock, and “Access Hollywood’s” Kit Hoover will don one from Kanjana “Cake” Carlos, another Macy’s-made designer. More seasoned TV viewers will find “The Brady Bunch’s” Florence Henderson, “Wheel of Fortune’s” Vanna White, “The Nanny’s” Fran Drescher (now seen on “Happily Divorced”) and “Taxi’s” Marilu Henner. “The Today show’s” Tamron Hall has also signed up, though like many of her fellow models, her designer of choice has yet to be revealed. On Tuesday she unabashedly tweeted about wearing her shirt backwards with a photo of herself showing off its Balmain label.
Nicole Richie‘s younger sister Sofia will also be on the runway, as will a Marchesa-clad Olivia Culpo and the musician Monica. As a Select model, Richie is one of the few participants this year to have actual runway experience.