First Lady Laura Bush held a reception at the White House yesterday in honor of the Heart Truth’s Red Dress Initiative’s fifth anniversary, and guess who stopped by? Her darn hubby, George. The initiative aims to promote heart-disease awareness by having celebrities model designer red dresses during Fashion Week, so naturally President Bush cracked a joke about Dick Cheney's unhealthy heart, saying the vice-president "sends his best." Oh, har! With quips like that, Bush could blog!

Many designers, including Nicole Miller, Donna Karan, and friend-of-the-Clintons Oscar de la Renta, said they were unable to attend because of prior travel plans. So soon after Fashion Week they're probably off "sourcing" fabric, explained CFDA executive director Steven Kolb, who did attend. Mark Badgley and James Mischka, who designed the Bush twins' inaugural ball gowns, were there. “Everyone was surprised that the president was there because the Red Dress Initiative is Mrs. Bush’s thing,” said Badgley. But clearly George thought of that joke earlier in the morning and decided it was just too damn good to waste on Secret Service.

Surprise Guest at First Lady's Red Dress Event [WWD]