The wife of the Chinese Ambassador to the UN, Lu Hailin, mingled with the likes of Lady Lilliana Cavendish, Hunt Slonem, Susan Shin, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Geoffrey Bradfield, Helen Wang,  Guoqing Chen, the founder of China's HNA Group and The Observer's own Jared Kushner, Guests eyed the jewelry, sipping champagne and sizing up the impressive pieces. Piaget representatives, all donning black silk gloves to protect the sparkling bijoux,  helped eager guests try on jewelry and watches.

YUE's publisher and editor Chiu-Ti Jansen played hostess, genially greeting guests as they entered and making introductions. We had the opportunity to speak to Ms. Jansen about the magazine, and particularly how she decided on the innovative bi-lingual layout. "We thought long and hard and we debated amongst ourselves as to whether it should be only in Mandarin to be even more focused, or to make it bilingual," she said. "But I really found we have accomplished my so-called hidden agenda: that I wanted to have a real two way street." The magazine, which caters to wealthy Chinese travelers in New York, also helps the luxury industry connect with their increasingly visible Chinese clientele.

"We are not only giving information to the Chinese luxury travelers, we are also providing information and educating the US based luxury businesses as to how to reach the Chinese travelers, their fast evolving taste and their dynamic interests," Ms. Jansen told The Observer.

Hidden or not, Ms. Jansen's worthy agenda was realized at the cocktail party. Notable New Yorkers and industry leaders chatted with prominent Chinese figures, finding a common language among Piaget's jewels.