China Fashion Gala 2019
Wednesday evening was all about the glamorous Chinese Fashion Gala to benefit designers of tomorrow at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. On May 1st, The China Institute and Yue-Sai Kan China Beauty Charity Fund (CBCF) presented a magical soiree of fashion, entertainment, live auction and awards. This is the fourth year for the gala in celebration of Chinese talent and empowerment.
The event proceeds go towards The China Institute’s Fashion Design Competition, The CBCF Scholarship at The Fashion Institute of Technology and The CBCF Executive Education in Sustainable Fashion Program in partnership with WeDesign.
The packed cocktail party was a melange of stylish red carpet photos mixed with fun, flirting and networking conversations in three languages. Yue-Sai Kan, Co-chair, China Institute & founder and chairperson, China Beauty Charity Fund was a gracious hostess visiting every table dazzling in red rubies and couture.
Co-chair of China Institute and James B. Heimowitz, President of China Institute, co-chairs of the gala Mei He, President of We-Education Group; Qing Su, President of Meihodo LLC; and Jeannette Chang, former SVP of Hearst International mingled with the fashionista crowd.
International power players from media, fashion and beauty seen on the scene were Gemma Chan, Xiao Wen Ju, Shu Pei Qin, Chien Chung Pei, Chloe Flower, Ping Huang, Wendy Yu, Nicole Miller, Han Feng, Anla Cheng, Sophia Sheng, Fiona Cibani, LaQuan Smith, Wen Zhou, Josie Natori, Jacqulyn Jablonski, Daniel Paltridge, Tikka Shatrujit Singh, Anthony Cenname, Wendy Fitzwilliam, Lin Li, Diana Xu, Zaina Gohu, Simon Collins, Mark Gong, Mary McFadden, Kaity Tong, Fernanda Ly and Morris Goldfarb.
The party moved into the Grand Ballroom for a sit down dinner of mango citrus salad, grilled striped bass with herb salad complemented by Citra Terre Di Chieti Chardonnay or Merlot. Liz Claman, Anchor of Fox Business Network, was the Master of Ceremonies for the awards ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations for extraordinary contributions to Chinese culture and industry.
Designer and artist Jason Wu took time out of his busy schedule from his global fashion brand. The CFDA awarded wunderkind whose designs are coveted by A list beauties Michelle Obama, Gemma Chan, Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore, Diane Kruger, and Lui Wien, humbly accepted the Leadership Award. A fashion show of his capsule Jason Wu collection was part of the evening’s swerve.
Editor in Chief of Vogue China Angelica Cheung who launched the magazine’s first issue in 2015 and has seen the Vogue China circulation grow beyond 1.6 Million was honored by the Leadership Award. Skincare brand Shanghai Pechoin Group with 89 years of beauty care experience was honored by the Legacy Award. Managing Director of Brands and Distribution at Esquel Group Dee Poon is environmentally conscious business woman accepted the Advocate Award. Delicate beauty and international awarded Best Actress and model Shu Qi accepted the Icon Award with a tearful speech in Chinese.
The Masked Diva Chinese pop singer Bing gave a dramatic and powerful vocal performance in stunning Dior couture. After the strawberry-hibiscus mousse with lemon sponge cake the live auctioneer whipped up a frenzy among high net worth bidders for an exquisite necklace of Black pearls, an 11 day Beijing to Shangai Uniworld Boutique River Cruise, a Jade Chiu Phoenix brooch, shopping spree and private cocktail party for fifty at 10 Corso Como and a Memorigin Tourbillion watch.
The fete ended with fashionable guests leaving with beauty gift bags of Orlane Paris, Phillip Kingsley and ShanCha Extra Virgin Camellia Olive Oil. The China Fashion Gala 2019 raised $850,000 towards the support of young designers and to position China at the forefront of global fashion.
