China Institute and China Beauty Charity Fund partner to present the China Fashion Gala 2017

NEW YORK, May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, May 7, China Institute and China Beauty Charity Fund will co-present the second annual China Fashion Gala to shine the spotlight to China's inimitable influence in the realm of style. The China Fashion Gala is a platform to showcase creativity inspired by China: to raise funds to support talented emerging designers; and to recognize individuals whose outstanding contributions have helped position Chinese design and aesthetics at the forefront of fashion on a global scale. The China Fashion Gala will benefit China Institute's new Fashion Initiative and Fashion Design Competition Award, as well as the China Beauty Charity Fund Scholarship at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The Gala will be hosted by Yue-Sai Kan, President of China Beauty Charity Fund, and James Heimowitz, President of China Institute. Joe Zee, the Editor-in-Chief of Yahoo! Style will be the Master of Ceremonies. The China Fashion Gala will honor the globally-acclaimed fashion photographer Chen Man -- known as the "Annie Leibovitz of China" – and the iconic model Carmen Dell'Orefice for their outstanding contributions that have placed Chinese design at the forefront of fashion. Gala advisors include legendary fashion leaders: Valentino, Vivienne Tam, Christian Louboutin, Zang Toi, Nicole Miller and Valerie Steele.

Known for her fantastical illusions and stylized eastern themes, Chen Man's work has been featured across top fashion publications including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. The legendary model Carmen Dell'Orefice will also be recognized for her close connection to Chinese fashion and her role in sparking a worldwide conversation about China's influence on design. The centerpiece of the China Fashion Gala will be a full-length haute couture show by influential Chinese designer Lan Yu, whose designs have been featured at New York Fashion Week and worn by numerous celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga.

In support of the gala and those being honored, Gala advisor Christian Louboutin commented, "Fashion is a powerful, communicative tool that carries rich traces of history and culture, as well as the designer's character. This is why I am happy to once again support an initiative that spotlights China's rich culture in a context where both heritage and innovation are praised."

Vivienne Tam added, "I am honored to serve as an advisor for the China Fashion Gala and to show my support for the up-and-coming artists that capture China's influence through their medium. I am particularly excited to see Lan Yu's show and I applaud the China Beauty Charity Fund and China Institute for supporting individuals who take China's rich cultural history and interpret it in their own imaginative, contemporary designs, and for introducing young, talented Chinese designers to the U.S."  

The proceeds from the China Fashion Gala will support the China Beauty Charity Fund Scholarship at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The gala will benefit China Institute's new Fashion Initiative, which includes a Fashion Design Competition to support young designers and promote creativity inspired by China, a $10,000 award to the first prize winner and mentorship from a leading designer, and other public events including conversations with leading designers and workshops.  

"We are excited to diversify China Institute's offerings through the Fashion Initiative," said China Institute's SVP and Chief Development Officer Andrea Sanseverino Galan. "By shining a light on China's emerging artists and designers, we demonstrate the country's influence extends far beyond its unparalleled manufacturing expertise."

To learn more about China Institute or purchase tickets to the China Fashion Gala, please visit https://www.chinainstitute.org/event/china-fashion-gala-2017/.

About China Institute

Through its world class School of Chinese Studies, renown Gallery Exhibitions and Center for Business, China Institute is a nonpartisan organization that serves as a dynamic gateway between the US and China. China Institute is the foremost resource in the United States on "all things China"— a gateway to Chinese language, art, culture and business. China Institute has been part of the fabric of New York City since the Institute was founded nearly a century ago by forward thinking educators—including Dr. Hu Shih, John Dewey, Kuo Ping-Wen, and Paul Monroe. Henry Luce fueled a second chapter in the Institute's venerable history in 1944 when serving as president and chairman of the board.

China Institute's impact on bicultural understanding began with the inspired vision of its founders:

• It broke new ground with a School of Chinese Studies, established in 1944, that has served over a million students.
• It established the first non-profit art gallery in the U.S. in 1966, dedicated exclusively to Chinese art and culture.
• It developed cutting- edge business programs designed to foster dialogue and exchange.
• It created unique in-classroom services for public schools.

Today, China Institute has become the premier resource for public programs that illuminate China through art, culture, language history, philosophy, business and contemporary life.  

About China Beauty Charity Fund

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 $US 3 million to fund cleft lip and palate surgeries, provide free medical supplies to underserved regions in China, and to provide scholarships for Chinese students through the CBCF Scholarship Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Press contacts:
Elizabeth Ingrassia
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www.chinainstitute.org

Emily Rossi
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SOURCE China Institute