New York’s Fall 2008 Fashion Week kicked off with a healthy dose of celebrities gracing the catwalk in red dresses to raise awareness of heart disease among women. U.S. First Lady Laura Bush introduced the show on Friday, which ended with Liza Minnelli singing a rousing rendition of “New York, New York.”
    Model and television host Heidi Klum, singers Ashanti and Joss Stone, and actresses Molly Sims, Allison Janney and Camryn Manheim also took a walk down the runway in dresses from various top designers including Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Max Azria Atelier, Catherine Malandrino and Badgley Mischka.
    A smattering of celebs have also graced the front rows of other shows over the weekend. Socialite Nicky Hilton and actress Katrina Bowden attended Sass and Bide, BabyPhat designer Kimora Lee Simmons attracted model and talk show host Tyra Banks, singer Joss Stone and actress Vivica A. Fox, while actress Anne Hathaway was at Erin Fetherston’s show.
    But perhaps one the hardest working celebrities has been fashion photographer and “America’s Next Top Model” judge Nigel Barker, who has been seen at several shows a day and graciously had his photo taken with countless fans. “It’s very flattering,” he told Reuters, adding that he had no problem with it because “they’re the reason we’re so successful.”