Designer’s statement: “Resilient” is a deep-red gown inspired by the strength and vulnerability of women who fall victim to heart disease. The physicality of the dress was inspired by the structure of our heart, veins and arteries. I chose deep shades of red to add drama. The use of hand-dyed silk, cotton and laser-cut leather represents the importance of keeping ourselves and our bodies in touch with nature, especially in the process of healing. The classic silhouette enhanced by edgy details accentuates the confidence and femininity of the wearer.

Designer’s statement: The dress imitates the color, texture and shape of the flower lilium (lily), which signifies passion and drive — two emotions needed to persevere and find light when faced with the challenges of heart disease. The red and orange combination creates a quality of greatness that inspires awe and wonder. I added yellow godets to look like a peak of yellow dazzling light shining through. I chose soft organza fabric to represent the delicacy of the human heart and remind people of how fragile the heart is despite the amount of work it does. In addition, the fabrics create a free-flowing skirt evoking breath and relaxation. “Sublime Beauty” expresses positive emotions and encourages all women to protect their hearts and fight to be on this earth for a long time.

Designer’s statement: Red chiffon is draped on this gown from one side to the other and represents how blood flows through the body, radiating from the heart. This fabric covers the bodice of the dress and resembles the hardship of heart disease. The bodice is drenched in fabric, and then leads to a smooth and soft finish of peach-fuzz texture. This opaque fabric is soft and understanding, as we are not alone in our journeys. The large amounts of fabric represent the limits and disabilities that come with heart disease, but also the growth that comes from experiencing difficulties. The large godet in the back represents having an open mind about life. In the end, one gains freedom by fighting heart disease.

Designer’s statement: The inspiration for “Reversible Time” is an hourglass filled with sand. Heart disease is potentially reversible, and its effects and associated risks can be mitigated with heart-healthy lifestyle choices. However, just as the hourglass can be turned and the flow of its grains of sand reversed, heart disease symptoms and risks can return if care is not taken. My dress represents how the sand in the hourglass can be paused or reversed at any time, and then prompted to flow again. It is my hope that when people see my dress, they will think of an hourglass and be reminded that making healthy lifestyle choices can enable them to achieve or maintain good health and to protect their hearts.

Designer’s statement: Symbolic of new beginnings, the flower has always been a source of inspiration for me. My design is a personification of an oil painting by John Hagan called “Lady Rose,” as the color of my dress has shades of red and the bottom curls like the corolla of petals. Moreover, the petals (which form the main component of the design) are a reflection of a rose, because they can turn inside out to represent a blooming flower. The cotton fabric compliments my design, because it portrays the softness of a rose and the slight shine it has when light falls on its surface. Two shades of red are used for the skirt to express the dimensionality and different layers of a rose. Your heart is just like a flower — dynamic and robust. So please take care of your heart. And if you do get heart disease, keep in mind that there are therapies to treat it. Flowers always bloom at the end of winter, and so can we.

Designer’s statement: While most things in fashion are beautiful and glamorous, I want to raise awareness with my dress that heart disease is the leading killer of women. Through my design, I emphasize the power of the heart, the power of women and the power to live the life every woman deserves. The heart beat hemline on the dress represents the highs and lows in life that make us stronger and the power of the heart to beat on average 100,000 times per day. The electrifying, blue-crystal embroidery on the long, red chiffon skirt resembles blood flowing through 60,000 miles of blood vessels every day. The embroidery is blue just like blood is blue before it hits oxygen. The heart is powerful and full of energy. My dress portrays a powerful, classy and sophisticated woman with a positive mindset and ability to achieve anything she sets her heart on.