Watching a Carmen Marc Valvo fashion show, it’s easy to imagine the runway is the red carpet and the models, Hollywood’s most sparkling stars. That’s because his gowns beg to be worn and appreciated for their form-flattering shapes, brilliant colors and attention to detail.

Earlier this week, Valvo showcased his Couture and Black Label collections at Neiman Marcus and debuted his new book Dressed to Perfection: The Art of Dressing for Your Red Carpet Moments, delighting the women who can't wait to slip on one of his dresses for their own special moment. He also was the guest of honor, along with Laura Mercier Cosmetics co-founder Janet Gurwitch, at the 25th Annual Career Day Luncheon and Student Fashion Show.

In his cobalt blue V-neck sweater, jacket and multiple necklaces, Valvo is approachable and chatty. He’s also quick to jump in and style a customer from head-to-toe, just as he did with Amanda Tinkle, a teenager looking for her own red carpet-worthy dress to wear when she celebrates her Sweet 16th birthday in New York with her family and boyfriend. Tinkle fell in love with a citrus ruched dress that fit her like a glove.

“I was in Mariposa (the Neiman Marcus restaurant) having lunch when I saw the model walk through with it on and I knew I had to try it on. I’m going to wear it to a play and five-star restaurant,” Tinkle said.

Valvo dispatched his assistant to the shoe salon to find just the right bronze shoe for the dress and was sincere is his praise of the young fashion devotee. The scene repeated itself throughout the afternoon, with Valvo styling customers in between signing copies of his book.

Watch any awards show and you’re likely to see a Valvo dress come down the carpet. Beyoncé, Kate Winslet, Emmy Rossum, Marcia Gay Harden and Taylor Swift have all donned his dresses, although there are a couple who haven’t that he hopes will. And there’s the one that got away.

“I would love to see Kate Blanchett and Natalie Portman in my gowns. We had a request by Lady Gaga for something romantic and chiffon, so we sent dresses. She didn’t choose any, but with celebrities you never know until you see it on them,” Valvo said.

Knowing the star’s stylist is key to getting a gown on a famously photographed body and so when Swift’s stylist called Valvo and asked for something white, he sent a cocktail dress that she wore to a Country Music Association awards party. Other celebs just know what works best for them and collaborate with the designer.

“Marcia Gay Harden will call and say, “I’m thinking a sexy tuxedo look” or “I wore black the last time, now I want to do green,” Valvo said. “The clever ones know themselves and know their bodies.”

It’s obvious Valvo also understands the nuances of a woman’s body, regardless of star status. During an intimate Q&A at Neiman Marcus Monday night in front of a crowd of around 50 fashion lovers, Valvo shared his thoughts on dress shapes that work on most women, suggesting a sheath, halter and empire (as long as the right proportions are kept in mind) for their universal appeal. But be open, he advises, because sometimes you just don’t know.

“It’s like meeting a lover. If there’s no date, no dinner, you just don’t know until you try it on,” he said.

Practically speaking, Valvo says it’s a good idea to take the dress for a "test drive." Go ahead and sit, dance and stand in it, just to make sure the dress is still as flattering as you imagined.

Valvo’s clothes are full of color, but when it comes to the Little Black Dress, he’s all for women having more than one hanging in the closet. A crepe sheath is a constant that can be changed with jewelry, scarves and hats, just as Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly character did in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Add a flirty black lace number and a '50s style party dress “when you’re feeling frivolous” and a woman is well on her way.

“Women need to feel confident, beautiful and sexy. Maybe it’s the Latin in me, but I like my dresses to be sexy, mysterious and gorgeous,” Valvo said.

He’s democratic with his dresses, both in size and price, ranging from a two to a 16. His Black Label dresses top out under $550 and Valvo’s couture gowns are between $3,000 and $5,000.

Many would say the New York-born designer has done plenty to leave his mark on the world, but there is something even more important to Valvo than fashion. After surviving colon cancer eight years ago, Valvo has made the colon cancer awareness his mission and his book a testimony to his commitment for the cause.

All proceeds from his portion of book sales benefit colon cancer organizations and the book’s launch was planned for March, Colon Cancer Awareness Month. He signed his book Monday at Neiman Marcus at an event hosted by the department store, Houston Fashion Group International and Neil Hamil Modeling Agency.

He credits his good friend, CBS news anchor Katie Couric, with raising national consciousness about the disease after she underwent a colonoscopy on live television. Couric's husband, Jay Monahan, died of the disease in 1998.

“They call it the “Couric Factor” and it really helped break barriers and bring colon cancer out in the open. We want to take the stigma out of colon cancer and I want to make it fashionable,” Valvo said.

To that end, he and Couric determined that blue was the official color of the colon awareness campaign (Couric wanted brown for obvious reasons, an idea Valvo quickly nixed). Someday, Valvo hopes the blue star, colon cancer’s symbol, is as iconic as the pink ribbon.

“This book is my legacy. We talked about it for 10 years and now, here it is,” Valvo said.