New York – On the night before the Met Gala, international media personality Sisi Cao, founder of Sisi Hollywood, hosted the inaugural “Fashion is Power” Pre-Met Gala Salon in Manhattan, bringing together international designers, actors, models, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and cultural voices for an evening centered on identity, storytelling, and human connection.
Picture Description: Sisi Cao, founder of Sisi Hollywood and international media personality, opened the evening with a vision of fashion as cultural dialogue.
Positioned as the beginning of a larger global salon series under the Sisi Hollywood platform, the evening reflected Cao’s evolving vision of creating real-world spaces where East and West can reconnect through culture, media, and authentic dialogue.
Co-hosted alongside the founder of Global Stress Initiative Lorraine Silvetz, whose work spans both fashion and humanitarian initiatives. the gathering explored fashion not simply as aesthetics, but as a shared cultural language capable of bringing different worlds into the same room.
Picture Description: Sisi Cao and co -host Lorraine Silvetz welcomed guests to the private pre–Met Gala salon, with Silvetz wearing couture by Chinese designer Jicheng.
Unlike traditional industry parties surrounding the Met Gala, the salon was intentionally designed as a curated cultural space — one where creatives, public figures, and founders from different backgrounds could engage in meaningful exchange face to face.
The event featured a cross-cultural designer lineup bridging Eastern and Western creative perspectives.
Chinese couture designer Liu Wei presented signature looks known for their sculptural elegance and reinterpretation of contemporary Eastern femininity, while internationally recognized designer Jicheng brought her signature fusion of traditional Chinese aesthetics and modern tailoring to the evening’s narrative.
Picture Description: At Sisi Hollywood’s landmark cultural gathering, leaders from fashion, media and global communities unite to celebrate cross-cultural dialogue and creative exchange.
Emerging menswear label U&Grace, founded by Chinese designer Jimmy Yao, introduced a minimalist menswear philosophy centered around its signature concept: “Time Cultivates Taste.” The brand’s tailoring was worn during the evening by Italian-American actor and international fashion model Sergio Delavicci, known for appearances in films including John Wick: Chapter 3, A Different Man, and The Equalizer, as well as his advocacy work surrounding mental health and trauma recovery.
Picture Description: Actor and model Sergio Delavicci wore U&Grace menswear, reflecting the salon’s blend of modern tailoring and cultural exchange.
Representing Western design voices, New York-based designer Evan Hirsch — recognized for his viral convertible fashion designs and sustainable couture concepts featured by Vogue and Glamour — brought a bold theatrical perspective to the evening’s fashion dialogue.
Picture Description: A runway look by New York designer Evan Hirsch highlighted the evening’s fusion of theatrical fashion and contemporary craftsmanship.
International couture designer Judiann Echezabal also joined the event, known for transforming feminine strength into highly individualized couture creations celebrating personal identity and craftsmanship.
Picture Description: A couture look by designer Judiann Echezabal brought a modern Western silhouette into the evening’s East-meets-West fashion dialogue.
Hungarian-American actress, producer, and philanthropist Livia Pillmann attended the salon wearing a couture design by Liu Wei while also presenting her documentary work connected to humanitarian efforts and trauma-healing initiatives in Nepal.
Picture Description: Actress and producer Livia Pillmann appeared in couture by Chinese designer Liu Wei during the evening’s runway presentation.
Additional guests included actor, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate Sebastian Harrison; international model, television personality, musician, and pageant titleholder ,tv personality Katia Biassou; and William Harlam, CEO of SPEC Entertainment.
Beauty styling for the evening was led by Emmy Award-nominated makeup artist Vincenza Carovillano.
Supported in part by the Shanghai Association USA and set within the private setting of Manhattan Elite Club, sponsored by The 1 Wine , the evening brought together a cross-disciplinary mix of creatives, media figures, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders from both the United States and China.
The evening also featured a special appearance by legendary American vocal group The Drifters, adding a timeless sense of music, culture, and human connection to the salon.
Picture Description: Legendary vocal group The Drifters joined the evening as part of Sisi Hollywood’s ongoing dialogue between legacy, culture and modern storytelling.
For Sisi Hollywood, the event represented more than a fashion gathering. It marked the beginning of a broader vision — one that combines mainstream television, global storytelling, and physical cultural spaces into what the platform describes as a new “global living ecosystem” reconnecting East and West through media, art, storytelling, and real human connection. spaces where people from different worlds can still sit together, listen, and understand one another beyond headlines and algorithms.
About Sisi Hollywood
Sisi Cao, widely known as Sisi Hollywood, is a bilingual TV host, producer, and international media personality recognized for fostering East-West dialogue through emotionally intelligent journalism. Her U.S. television program, Sisi Hollywood: The Soul Behind Success, reaches approximately 125 million households nationwide. Through her interviews with influential leaders across business, culture, entertainment, and the arts, she continues to elevate conversations centered on authenticity, humanity, and cultural connection.
Learn more at https://sisihollywood.com/
For updates, follow Sisi Hollywood on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sisihollywood-show
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sisihollywoodshow
