New York’s philanthropic and fashion circles came together last night for a red carpet celebration and charity fashion show hosted and produced by Gloria Cressler, blending a wine tasting with a runway extravaganza in support of causes close to the city’s giving community.
The evening drew a wide-ranging guest list that reflected Cressler’s reach across business, humanitarian, and entertainment circles. Among those on hand were celebrated business coach Bill Walsh, founder and CEO of Powerteam International; singer and actress Valerie David; Nobel Peace Prize nominee Michael J. Daly III; Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe; Ambassador Dr. Monica Sanchez; Reverend Paul Sladkus, longtime curator of International Peace Day programming in Times Square; socialite Lorraine Silvetz; a host of fashion designers and models; and Brian Miller, owner of Manhattan Motorcars, Manhattan’s exclusive Bugatti retailer.
The mix of honorees underscored the evening’s dual identity as both a fashion showcase and a philanthropic gathering, with designers and models sharing the runway spotlight alongside guests known for their humanitarian and business achievements. It made for a night where couture and cause shared equal billing, in keeping with the spirit of giving that has defined Cressler’s events on the New York social calendar.
About Gloria Cressler
Gloria Cressler is a New York-based fashion and philanthropy producer associated with Black Tie International Magazine, where she has presented runway shows during New York Fashion Week and contributed travel coverage. She is known in Manhattan social circles for hosting and producing charity-driven fashion events that bring together designers, models, and philanthropic honorees.
About Ambassador Dr. Monica Sanchez
Dr. Monica Sanchez is the founder of the Miss Caricom International Foundation, a United Nations-accredited NGO established in 2004, and the author of the book “Child of a Child.” She is a human rights and gender equality advocate whose work focuses on rural and marginalized communities worldwide, with particular attention to women and girls.
About Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh is a venture capitalist, global business strategist, and the founder and CEO of Powerteam International, a business coaching and corporate advisory firm based in Chicago, Illinois. Over more than two decades, he has worked with startups, family offices, and global brands on turnarounds, scaling, and market valuation, and has been recognized as a top business coach, including with a Business Coach of the Year Award. He is the author of “The Obvious” and founded Powerteam International’s signature programs, including The Rainmaker Summit and WIN University/WIN Global, and remains a globally sought keynote speaker on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
About Michael J. Daly III
Michael J. Daly III is an international entrepreneur, humanitarian, and inventor who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in hydrogen energy technology. He has discussed his humanitarian and business ventures publicly, including in an appearance on Quinn Lemley’s “Secrets of the Stage.”
About Reverend Paul Sladkus
Reverend Paul Sladkus is the founder of the Good News Corporation, a nonprofit established in 2002 that has produced International Day of Peace and Earth Day concerts in Central Park and Times Square for more than two decades. An ordained all-faiths minister, Sladkus has organized the “Pause the World for Peace” broadcasts in Manhattan’s Duffy Square, drawing global participation from peace leaders, performers, and public officials each September.
About Brian Miller
Brian Miller is the owner and dealer principal of Manhattan Motorcars, New York City’s flagship dealership for Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and other exotic and super-luxury automotive brands. Since opening the dealership’s current flagship location in 2015, Miller has built a reputation for hands-on, high-touch service to a clientele that includes entertainers, executives, and collectors from around the world.