Fifty red gowns, all exclusively designed for M.A.C. to held raise awareness for the fight against HIV/AIDS will come together on stage to create a dramatic on-stage formation of the red AIDS Ribbon.

Set to a performance by Canadian Soprano Measha Brueggergosman, and accompanied by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and National Ballet of Canada, the show will create a poignant and emotional finale to the opening session.

Gowns designed by Alan Chau, Arthur Mendonca, Daniel Morneau, David Dixon, Farley Chatto, Jackae Baker, Jennifer Dares, Joeffer Caoc, Lida Baday, Kendra Francis, Comrags, Valencienne Bridal Design, Madeleine Wong, Mar Anhang, Mark O'Connell, Marty Rotman, Marya Duplaga, Philipe Au, Rebecca Syzmcak, Rommel, Romona Keveza, Effigy Richard Bergeron, Richard Madden, Bobby Kennedy, Sandra Rabasca, Sunny Choi, Susy Yu.Martin Grant, Sue Wong, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, B Micheal, Carlos Miele, Roberto Cavalli, Dsquared2, Douglas Hannant, Buodicca, Collette Dinnigan and Elie Saab will be on stage.

From Aug 13 – 18, 2006, top officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) are scheduled to speak at a number of events at the XVIth International AIDS Conference in Toronto. WHO is the directing and coordinating authority on international health work and takes the lead in the United Nations system in the global health sector response to the AIDS epidemic.

American Red Cross HIV/AIDS health and technical expert, Rachel Lucas, and thirteen other American Red Cross HIV/AIDS staff from the U.S., Russia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique, Haiti, and El Salvador will also be in the conference to talk about American Red Cross-supported programs helping to fight HIV/AIDS throughout the world.

The International AIDS Conference is the world's largest biennial conference to exchange ideas, knowledge and research in order to inform HIV/AIDS programs and strengthen prevention, treatment and care efforts worldwide.