Michael Kors Hosts Event To Benefit Alzheimer's Association (PHOTOS)

With millions of people affected each year, Alzheimer's disease is a growing problem in America. The disease is now the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

Despite its dangers, neuroscientists still don't know much about the illness, so last week, one designer held a haute-couture event to raise funds for Alzheimer's research.

The Michael Kors Collection and Lifestyle Stores in Chicago threw open their doors last Thursday night for a champagne and shopping event for the Alzheimer's Association, a group that supports research into the disease as well as care and support for the afflicted and their loved ones. Twenty percent of all net sales from the evening were donated to the Association.

Thursday's event was also intended to raise awareness for the upcoming Rita Hayworth Gala, a much larger benefit being held on Mother's Day in honor of the glamorous actress who died from Alzheimer's in 1987. That benefit will also raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association.

See photos from Thursday's Michael Kors event: