China Institute and Yue-Sai Kan China Beauty Charity Fund co-presented the China Fashion Gala 2019 at the Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. The annual celebration of Chinese design serves as a platform for Chinese talent emerging onto the international stage, as well as a forum for recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions have helped position China at the forefront of global fashion.
This year’s gala honored designer and artist Jason Wu with the Leadership Award, Editor in Chief of Vogue China Angelica Cheung with the Leadership Award, Actress Shu Qi with the Icon Award, Skincare brand Shanghai Pechoin Group with the Legacy Award, and Managing Director of Brands and Distribution at Esquel Group Dee Poon with the Advocate Award.
The China Fashion Gala 2019 has raised $850,000. Proceeds from the event will help support the Yue-Sai Kan CBCF Scholarship at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the CBCF Executive Education in Sustainable Fashion Program in partnership with WeDesign, as well as China Institute’s Fashion Initiative including a Fashion Design Competition established to support young designers and promote creativity inspired by China.
Highlights from the evening included a cocktail reception, awards ceremony, fashion presentation by leading global design talent, Jason Wu, a special performance from Chinese pop singer Bing who is known as “China’s Masked Diva,” and an auction.
The China Fashion Gala 2019 was hosted by Yue-Sai Kan, Founder and Chairwoman of Yue-Sai Kan China Beauty Charity Fund and co-chair of China Institute and James B. Heimowitz, President of China Institute. Co-chairs of the gala included Mei He, President of We-Education Group; Qing Su, President of Meihodo LLC; and Jeannette Chang, former SVP of Hearst International. Liz Claman, Anchor of Fox Business Network, was the Master of Ceremonies.
Prominent event guests included: 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, Simon Collins, Mark Gong, and many more.
China Institute advances a deeper understanding of China through programs in education, culture, art and business. China Institute is the go-to resource on China – from ancient art to today’s business landscape and its rapidly shifting culture. Its programs, school and gallery exhibitions bring to life the depth, complexity and dynamism of China. Founded in 1926 by Chinese reformers Hu Shi and K.P. Wen, and Americans John Dewey and Paul Monroe, China Institute is the oldest bicultural, nonprofit organization in America to focus exclusively on China.
Yue-Sai Kan China Beauty Charity Fund (“CBCF”) was established in 2011 in honor of Yue-Sai Kan by the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation, one of the most important and trusted charitable foundations in China. The word “beauty” in Chinese embodies caring, giving, honesty, and beautification of the human spirit. True to this spirit, CBCF is dedicated to the betterment and advancement of women and children through education, health and cultural programs worldwide. Since its establishment, CBCF has raised a total of 3 million USD to fund cleft lip and palate surgeries, provide free medical supplies to underserved regions in China, and provide scholarships for Chinese students through the CBCF Scholarship Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Mount Sinai Health System celebrated its 34th annual Crystal Ball party by honoring Peter W. May, Chairman of Mount Sinai’s Boards of Trustees since 2002.
Over 1300 guests, including Health System leadership, staff, and supporters, gathered at the Central Park Conservatory Garden. The event raised $4 million. Benefit chairs this year included Leni May, Leslie May Blauner and Andrew Blauner, and Juliana and Jon May.
Mr. May, who joined the Boards of Trustees in 1989, orchestrated Mount Sinai’s successful financial turnaround in the early 2000s and its tremendous growth more recently, including oversight of the merger with the former Continuum Health Partners to create one of the largest health systems in the New York region. By ushering in a new generation of leadership to the Boards of Trustees, Mr. May has also helped to propel dedicated and ongoing philanthropic support across the Health System that has been instrumental in Mount Sinai’s growth and overall reputation and rankings.
“Peter has been a phenomenal chairman over the past 17 years and an inspiring leader. During his time at Mount Sinai, we went from being a well-recognized regional hospital to a national health system, while also growing in size and stature,” said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and CEO of the Mount Sinai Health System. “He is truly an exceptional man and we are all very thankful for his generous support of our institution over the years.”
“When I take a step back and think about it, my work with Mount Sinai is probably the single most important thing I’ve done in my life, other than building my family,” said Mr. May. “I’ve been very successful in my business career, and financially been successful, but I think the impact that we’ve all had at Mount Sinai, and the value of what we do, in terms of contributing to the improvement of health, has really been incredibly rewarding.”
Mr. May’s decision to step down, which was announced during the evening, was effective as of Monday, April 22, 2019. Mount Sinai Trustees Richard A. Friedman and James S. Tisch are succeeding him as Co-Chairs. Mr. Friedman joined Mount Sinai Boards of Trustees in 2001, and is Chairman of the Merchant Banking Division of Goldman Sachs. Mr. Tisch joined Mount Sinai Boards of Trustees in 1988, is Chief Executive Officer of Loews Corporation.
The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City’s largest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai’s vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers.
For more information, visit www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Joan and George Hornig’s beautiful home is known for celebrated book parties, so it was the perfect place to launch Rizzoli’s stunning new book, Partnerships: Stories from Partnership with Children, about Partnership with Children’s best-in-class mental health work in schools across the city. The book is packed with Lisa Berg’s gorgeous photos coupled with the formidable and touching voices of young people and social workers. The Hornigs’ art-filled home overflowed with photography lovers, public health advocates, friends, and Partnership with Children supporters.
Charles Miers, Rizzoli’s Publisher, gave a moving speech about photography as the perfect medium to uniquely showcase the critical relationships that allow children to thrive, adding, “It was an absolute honor to work with Partnership with Children. They are doing such important work.” Remarks by Margaret Crotty, Partnership with Children CEO, and featured photographer Lisa Berg followed as guests admired the book and stayed long past the appointed hour.
Photographs by Patrick McMullan, Starpix, Annie Zhang (China Institute); Mount Sinai Health System; Annie Watt (Partnership with Children)
