Ethical Fashion and Environmental Advocates Take Center Stage at the 12th Annual First Ladies Luncheon

The 12th Annual First Ladies Luncheon in New York brought together diplomats, fashion leaders, and sustainability advocates to spotlight ethical fashion and environmental responsibility. This year’s theme drew inspiration from Chinese culture, featuring designers from Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Albania, with the focus on sustainable practices within the industry.

Among the highlights was Mirela Nurce, an Albanian designer whose collection on the runway captivated the audience with a preview of the Global Runway project. Set to launch in 2026 at the United Nations, Global Runway will bring designers from 100 nations to participate in one monumental show. Nurce’s involvement in this initiative reflects her dedication to using fashion as a platform for diplomacy and global solutions. Evie Evangelou, founder of Fashion 4 Development, described the project as “a symbol of tolerance [and] reconciliation.”

The event also showcased the work of Juliet Gao, founder of Sandriver Cashmere, whose brand has revived an ancient Mongolian hand-felt technique and supports women and local herders in Tibet. Wang Feng Couture, known for bridal and haute couture creations, was another designer celebrated for their commitment to sustainability.

A model wears Mirela Nurce at Fashion 4 Development’s 12th Annual First Lady Luncheon

Adding to the event’s cultural emphasis, the luncheon featured a vegan menu curated by renowned Chef Guo Wenjun, owner of the most expensive Chinese restaurant in New York City. Yue-Sai Kan, a Chinese-American producer and television host, co-hosted the luncheon and was honored with the 2024 Visionary Award for her role in bridging the fashion industries of China and the United States.

Eva Orner, an Emmy and Academy Award-winning film producer, was also recognized for her recent documentary, “Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion,” which sheds light on the environmental damage caused by fast fashion. Her film highlights the shocking realities of discarded clothing in places like the beaches of Accra, Ghana.

Other honorees included Chantal Khoueiry, founder of Brides do Good, which raises funds to end child marriage, and Amy Green, CEO of Green Vision, an organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and preserving rainforests.

With fashion increasingly becoming a platform for advocacy and change, this year’s First Ladies Luncheon set a powerful example by promoting sustainable practices and ethical consumption within the fashion industry.

Sharon Bush, Lauren Bush Lauren of Teddy Share, and FEED were also in attendance, underscoring the growing movement toward responsible fashion.