Catriona Le May Doan wears Lovas - Heart and Stroke Foundation - The Heart Truth celebrity fashion show - Red Dress - Red Gown - Thursday February 8, 2012 - Creative Commons

In any endeavour, crossing the finish line first – and repeatedly – takes incredible determination, dedication and talent. Catriona Le May Doan knows all about it. Canada’s Athlete of the Year in 2002, Catriona is the speed skater whose world record-setting wins captivated and inspired millions of Canadians.

A two-time Olympic Gold Medallist and the fastest woman on ice, Catriona has been honoured as the Canadian flag bearer at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremonies. It was these very same Games that she won the gold medal in the 500-metre event, defending her 1998 Olympic 500m gold and became the first and only Canadian to defend a gold medal at any Olympic Games. She broke the world record for the event 8 times, and at the 2002 Games, set an Olympic record time of 37.30 seconds. She is also a 5-time World Champion.

Although Catriona retired from the world of competitive speed skating, she is still a central figure in the sport. She served as the primary colour commentator for the CTV television broadcast of long track speed skating at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games which earned her a Gemini for Best Sports Analyst. Catriona will be the morning show co-host of CTV’s 2012 Olympic Summer Games from London, England.

Catriona is not only a world champion but a talented motivational speaker as well. Articulate, engaging and fluently bilingual, she connects with audiences by discussing how to achieve personal excellence and motivating people to realize their full potential. Her achievements have landed her in the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Committee Sports Hall of Fame, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

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Toronto native, Wesley Badanjak completed a Bachelor of Biology at York University and received a Bachelor of Fashion Design with Honours at Ryerson University. While studying fashion, Badanjak garnered many awards for his distinctive style and tailoring expertise, which resulted in two highly regarded internships for women’s wear label PEROS and Holt Renfrew Design Studios. He was named winner of the Telus Mobility Canadian Fashion Designer Awards in 2007 and had the opportunity of representing Canada at the REMIX competition in Milan, Italy for superior fur design in 2008. Since graduating, he has worked with the label tevrow+chase under American designer Paul Sinclaire, and with acclaimed Canadian designer David Dixon.

Late in 2008, Badanjak ventured on his own and debuted LOVAS Wesley Badanjak, a contemporary women’s wear label focused on classic tailoring and precise finishing. The looks are fashion forward and modern, yet exceptionally wearable. Badanjak’s detailed construction using luxurious fabrics provides a distinct point-of-view in the fashion marketplace.

Badanjak’s inspiration varies from season to season, yet he is always drawn to his love of history, music and his Croatian heritage. The collections infuse these common threads into contemporary fashions of the highest quality for today’s woman.

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In 2012, The Heart Truth® marks a decade of commitment to women's heart health. Starting with February's American Heart Month and throughout the year, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reaffirms its commitment to increasing awareness about heart disease among women and helping women take steps to reduce their own personal risk of developing heart disease.

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Photography by Jason Hargrove

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