Giada De Laurentiis Hits The Catwalk for Her Modeling Debut at New York Fashion Week

Giada De Laurentiis made her modeling debut at the New York Fashion Week. Giada De Laurentiis traded the kitchen for the catwalk Thursday, Feb. 6 at New York Fashion Week's Heart Truth Dress Collection show.

Italian-born Food Network host Giada De Laurentiis made her modeling debut Thursday during 2014's New York Fashion Week. Giada was born in Rome and grew up in a large Italian family. She's the oldest daughter of Veronica De Laurentiis and actor Alex De Benedetti.

Before the show, Giada told E! News "I'm super excited; I've never done this before. I used to think being a model and walking the runway was an easy job, but I have changed my mind. I have so much respect for those women because it's a tough job!"

De Laurentiis wore a bright red cleavage bearing short-sleeve floor-length gown by Carolina Herrera featuring a plunging neckline and large slit during her cat walk. Lubov Azria, the brand's creative director, told E! News "We're really focusing on our 25-year anniversary, and celebrating the brand's timeless elegance and affordable luxury. I still have the same designer that did the first show. It brings back memories."

Giada Laurentiis said she practiced on her own for the catwalk. She told E! "I've sort of not asked anybody [for help.] I kind of want it to be my own experience."

According to reports Giada has been busy with her new restaurant venture at The Cromwell Hotel in Las Vegas. The new restaurant is set to open in the spring. The Las Vegas Sun reported that Giada has been very hands-on with the restaurant project, choosing everything from the fabrics to the furniture herself.

Go Red for Women is an educational effort designed to bring attention to the seriousness of heart disease. According to the organization's promotional video, "The Common Thread," One in three women die from heart disease. The organization hopes to help women become aware of how they can fight the disease.

Giada wasn't the only star to hit the catwalk for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Fashion Show. Lindsey Vonn made the walk on crutches. Joan Jett, NeNe Leakes, Bella Thorne, AnnaSophia Robb and other celebrities also wore red dresses.

Jett told Yahoo News "You got no heart, you got no life, so I think it's important for women to recognize that."