Immediate Press Release

AICI Beijing Chapter Successfully Hosts the 2025 Fall Education Day

“Esthetics Trio” Strikes a Powerful Chord for the Future of the Image Industry — A Cross-Cultural Feast of Image Advancement Connecting Details, Wholeness, East and West

From October 25 to 26, 2025, Beijing’s Kuntai Royal Hotel witnessed a convergence of inspiration and elites, as the AICI Beijing Chapter successfully hosted its 2025 Fall Education Day. Centered on the theme “Focus on the Esthetics Trio: The Path to Image Enhancement from Details to the Whole”, this two-day industry event was more than just a knowledge feast—it served as a pivotal platform for in-depth collaboration among image consultants, esthetics practitioners, and enthusiasts nationwide. By seamlessly integrating three core esthetic dimensions—Accessories, Style, and Space—the event delivered a professional gala that blended global perspectives, local practices, and humanistic warmth.

Prelude: Intersection of Ideas and a Fragrance of Books

October 25 | Pre-Event Book Signings and Daytime Masterclass

Breaking new ground, the Education Day featured a dedicated book display and signing session throughout the two days. The “Esthetics Book Corner” showcased representative works by eight renowned experts in image esthetics, including Ms. Eva Köck-Eripek, Cheng Cheng, Prof. Liu Yuedi, Dr. Zhou Jiali, Ms. Zhang Rui, Li Yun, Wang Yun, and Mr. Liu Lijun. These books were not merely carriers of knowledge but sparks for intellectual exchange, laying a solid academic foundation for the entire event.

The opening ceremony of the Education Day was hosted by Ms. Hao Yun, the incoming President of AICI Beijing Chapter. Amid warm applause, Dr. Zhou Jiali, the current President of AICI Beijing Chapter, delivered a keynote address. She emphasized the importance of continuous learning and a global mindset in an era of fierce competition, urging all participants to “gain insights through learning and turn insights into achievements.” Following this, Ms. Hu Chunyuan, Vice President of Education, clearly outlined the Continuing Education Units (CEU) standards, highlighting the event’s role in maintaining AICI international certification—underscoring its professionalism and authority.

The day’s highlight was a full-day core masterclass by Ms. Eva Köck-Eripek (AICI CIM), one of only 20 AICI Certified Image Masters worldwide, hailing from Austria. Titled “Glasses are More Than Accessories - They Define Style!”, the course began with theories of facial structure and proportions. Eva detailed how precise glasses selection can optimize different face shapes (oval, round, square, heart-shaped, etc.), balance the “three courts and five eyes” facial proportions, and complement key features like eyebrows, eyes, and nose. She stressed that glasses, as a visual focal point on the face, are a “style definer” rather than a mere functional item. Beyond teaching systematic knowledge about the relationship between color, shape, material, and personal style, Eva shared strategies for integrating esthetic consulting with optical fitting to deliver truly “tailored solutions” for clients.

During breaks and lunch hours, the venue transformed into a dynamic salon. Attendees exchanged insights in a relaxed atmosphere, engaged with authors at the book corner, and sparked ideas over coffee and books. Additionally, a dedicated “professional portrait studio” captured polished images of participants, creating visual business cards to elevate their professional presence.

Gala Dinner: A Glorious Gathering of Honor

October 25 | Gala Dinner

The banquet hall shimmered with lights and elegant attire as the gala dinner kicked off with a bilingual (Chinese-English) opening by hosts Ms. Ren Shasha, Ms. Zhang Nan, and Mr. Yuan Xin, blending grace with energy.

• Book Signings & Recap: The “author signing” session continued the day’s momentum, with eight authors surrounded by enthusiastic readers. What flowed from their pens was not only autographs, but also the transmission of wisdom and the inheritance of industry legacy.

• Speech & Welcome for New Members: All board members of AICI Beijing Chapter took the stage to toast together, wishing all participants a wonderful time and thriving careers in the image industry. Later, eight new members—Ms. Li Lixin, Wang Tingting, Hu Juanjuan, Chen Yuhua, Min Fanjie, Ma Liulin, Liu Yu, and Zhang Yuetao— were invited to make an appearance on stage. This marked the official integration of new blood into the AICI family, and the venue was filled with thunderous applause, brimming with welcome and blessings.

• Awards & Lucky Draws: The gala dinner reached its peak with a series of awards and lucky draws:
  1. The Special Contribution Award was presented to six recipients: Ms. Viola Meng, Liang Jing, Gai Ying, Li Lixin, Mr. Liu Lijun, and Yuan Xin. The award was presented by Eva in person, in recognition of their selfless efforts in event planning, resource coordination, or charitable contributions.
  2. The Thought Leadership Contribution Award honored seven experts who excelled in the roundtable forum: Ms. Eva Köck-Eripek, Cheng Cheng, Xu Liyan, Prof. Liu Yuedi, Ms. Zhang Rui, Li Yun, and Liang Yan. Dr. Zhou Jiali presented the awards, acknowledging their role in guiding industry development.
  3. The Outstanding Exhibitor Award went to three partners: Ms. Liang Yan (Shanghai SMART WARDROBE Information Technology Co., Ltd.), Mr. Tang Lin (Jinghua Ruixiang Sales Department, Beijing Glasses Factory), and Ms. Zhang Yueyue (The Beauty of Tang Brand Operation and Management Co., Ltd.), presented by incoming President Ms. Hao Yun.
  4. Additional awards, including Outstanding Volunteer Award, Academic Contribution Award, and Outstanding Performance Award, recognized individuals for their behind-the-scenes dedication and on-stage brilliance.
  5. Three rounds of lucky draws (for the third, second, and first prizes) were interspersed throughout, each full of surprises. Exquisite gifts such as elegant notebooks, brooches, high-value haircut vouchers, national trend cultural and creative products, and premium tea leaves kept pushing the on-site atmosphere to a climax, filling the entire banquet hall with surprises and laughter.

Roundtable Forum & Performances: The gala’s intellectual core was a roundtable discussion titled “From ‘Image Services’ to ‘Esthetics Value Transmission’: How to Break Boundaries and Build Competitiveness”, skillfully hosted by incoming President Ms. Hao Yun. Eight industry experts—Ms. Eva Köck-Eripek, Cheng Cheng, Xu Liyan, Prof. Liu Yuedi, Ms. Li Yun, Liang Yan, Zhang Rui, and Dr. Zhou Jiali—engaged in in-depth dialogue, exploring “value upgrading,” “boundary integration,” and “future competitiveness.” Blending philosophical thinking, global insights, technological frontiers, and local practices, the forum charted a clear path for the industry’s future and key competency requirements. Beyond the clash of ideas, eight beautiful ladies—Ms. Shao Ling, Zhang Nan, Viola Meng, Wang Qinyun, Huang Yuran, Ma Liulin, Wang Tingting, and Gao Jing—delivered a wonderful medley of songs. Additionally, dancer Zhangwang Yifeng and Wang Shuosen passionately performed a dynamic and energetic dance. These brilliant shows infused the gala dinner with boundless vitality and artistic charm.

Group Dance Finale: The gala dinner concluded with all guests rising for a lively group dance. Music, lights, laughter, and dance moves intertwined, pushing the atmosphere to its peak and symbolizing the cohesion and vitality of the AICI Beijing Chapter family.

Finally, with the warm and powerful blessings from the three hosts, the dinner was successfully concluded. However, the wonderful events of the AICI Beijing Chapter’s 2025 Autumn Education Day were still ongoing.

Sequel Chapter: In-Depth Dialogue on Style and Space

October 26 | Day 2 Highlights

After a night of rest and reflection, the participants of the Education Day reconvened in the conference room for another day of intellectual enlightenment.

In the morning, renowned expert in image aesthetics, Ms. Cheng Cheng, with over a million followers, delivered a profound course titled “The End of Style is Personality”. She traced the evolution of “beauty” from a historical perspective and profoundly pointed out that “beauty is a relationship.” The differences in style are essentially the externalization of worldviews, life perspectives, and values. She guided the participants to go beyond superficial dressing techniques and explore the inner personality traits and life states of the clients, thereby achieving a true “style positioning and redefinition.” Her sharing was filled with philosophical speculation and humanistic concern, triggering deep reflections among the participants on the value and meaning of their profession.

In the afternoon, internationally acclaimed architect and interior designer, Ms. Xu Liyan, expanded the horizon from personal image to broader living environments with her lecture “Cultivation of Spatial Aesthetics”. She ingeniously linked home aesthetics with fashion trends, elaborating on the close relationship between art display, feng shui aesthetics, space storage, and personal temperament cultivation, as well as quality of life. She emphasized that image consultants need to possess “space thinking,” because the environment in which a person is situated is also an inseparable part of their image. This cross-disciplinary perspective injected new inspiration and possibilities into the image industry, pointing toward the future of “holistic image building.”

The two days of intensive learning concluded on a high note, with many attendees lingering to continue discussions. This moment perfectly embodied the purpose of AICI Beijing Chapter’s Education Day: it was not a perfunctory closing, but the true formation and resonance of a professional community. While the physical event drew to a close, the professional platform it created had only just begun to unleash its potential. As the last attendees departed reluctantly, the venue grew quiet. However, the spark ignited by this Education Day had already traveled with them to various places. It will continue to shine in every professional lecture and consultation by image practitioners, thrive in every innovative attempt, and converge into a bright galaxy that illuminates the future of China’s image industry within AICI Beijing Chapter, this shared spiritual home.

By Hao Yun (Incoming President, AICI Beijing Chapter), Ren Shasha (VP of International Communications, AICI Beijing Chapter)

About AICI Beijing Chapter: The AICI Beijing Chapter is committed to promoting professional exchange and growth in the image management industry. It regularly hosts esthetics salons, workshops, and other events to help members and the public enhance their image capabilities, esthetic literacy, and quality of life. For more information, follow the official WeChat account: “AICI 北京”.

AICI USA Summit 2025: A Historic Merger and a Celebration of Unity, Learning, and Inspiration in New York City 

From 29th September - 2nd Oct 2025

New York, USA — The AICI USA Summit 2025 marked a landmark moment in the history of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), uniting all chapters across the United States under one national umbrella for the first time. Held in the heart of Manhattan, the Summit was more than a conference — it was a celebration of vision, connection, and the power of coming together as one. From the art-filled halls of The Metropolitan Museum of Art to the inspiring classrooms of FIT New York, the four-day event reflected the essence of AICI — creativity, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence in the field of image consulting.

Day One: Style Through the Eyes of Art 

The Summit opened with a captivating masterclass at The Met, led by the legendary Carla Mathis, author of The Triumph of Individual Style. Participants immersed themselves in the intersection of art and image, discovering how line, shape, texture, and proportion in masterpieces translate into personal style. 

Later, at The Broadway Museum, Professor Joshua Williams from Parsons delivered an engaging session on stage presence and the art of first impressions. The day concluded with an exclusive visit to Lafayette 148, where attendees learned about craftsmanship, modern design, and elegance. 

Day Two: Leadership, Color, and the Power of Connection

The second day at FIT New York began with a deeply moving keynote by Shubha Joshi, AICI CIP, Global President, who spoke about the emotional and historical significance of the merger:

“Today, we stand together not just as individual chapters, but as one unified USA Chapter. This is more than a merger — it’s a symbol of what happens when we choose collaboration over division. A new era begins, rooted in unity, resilience, and shared purpose.” 

The day featured the swearing-in ceremony of the new AICI USA Board, followed by educational sessions that captured both intellect and heart — Shubha Joshi on neuromarketing and psychological strategies for marketing, Lilian Bustamante on leadership, and Coca Sevilla on mastering self-promotion.

A highlight of the day was the Superheroes Ceremony, honoring members who played key roles in the merger process for their courage, commitment, and vision. The afternoon brought color to life with Lula Kiah and Edwards Buice, who presented Color Code Leadership, linking color psychology to authentic leadership and influence. The evening ended with a rooftop networking event curated by Leslie Castellanos, featuring a creative “Cocktail Challenge” that encouraged authentic connections and vibrant conversations. 

Day Three: The Business of Fashion and Identity

The third day delved into entrepreneurship and the evolving identity of the image industry. Keanan Duffty, Parsons and FIT professor, shared strategies for building sustainable fashion businesses. Sue Donnelly, AICI CIP, led a reflective session, Mistaken Identity, inspiring consultants to rethink the stories they tell themselves and their clients. Elaine Stoltz unveiled The DNA of Color, an in-depth look at natural color blueprints, and Monica Bravo offered valuable insights on styling clients with curves. The day concluded with a visit to The Museum at FIT to experience Dress Dreams and Desire, a visual journey through self-expression and style evolution. 

Day Four: Streets of Style — A Tribute to New York’s Fashion Legacy

The final day celebrated New York as the epicenter of fashion and creativity. From the Garment Worker Statue to Bergdorf Goodman, participants experienced a walking tour tracing the history of American style. The exclusive pre-opening masterclass at Bergdorf, followed by lunch overlooking Central Park, was a fitting finale — an ode to elegance and inspiration. 

A New Chapter for AICI USA

The AICI USA Summit 2025 was not just an event — it was a statement of unity and renewal. It symbolized a shared belief that when professionals come together with a common vision, they can elevate an entire industry. From the marble halls of The Met to the skyline of Manhattan, the Summit captured the heart of AICI’s mission — to connect, empower, and inspire image professionals worldwide. The spirit of the newly unified USA Chapter now stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when collaboration leads the way. 

We are thrilled to share that our very own AICI Global President, Olen Juarez-Lim, AICI CIP, has been making waves in the media! As the first Filipina to hold the presidency of our global organization, her leadership and vision are being recognized far and wide—particularly as she prepares to host AICI’s first-ever Asian conference in Manila this April.

This historic milestone has been featured across several respected publications. We invite all members to take pride in this recognition and read the inspiring coverage through the links below:

📍 The Metro Explorer - 🔗 Read more

📍 The Events Tribune - 🔗 Read more

📍 LionhearTV - 🔗 Read more

📍 Happening PH - 🔗 Read more

📍 Our Daily News Online - 🔗 Read more

📍 BrandX PH - 🔗 Read more

📍 Next Feature PH - 🔗 Read more

📍 SportsTek - 🔗 Read more

Let’s celebrate this exciting moment in AICI’s history! Congratulations to Olen Juarez-Lim, AICI CIP on this well-deserved recognition and for paving the way for greater global engagement and visibility for the image consulting profession.

AICI Beijing Chapter 20th Anniversary Celebration and Education Day Successfully Held

From November 3rd to 4th, 2024, the AICI Beijing Chapter welcomed the 20th anniversary celebration of its establishment and successfully held the Education Day.

The two-day event brought together nearly 100 industry experts and guests of AICI members and non-members, bringing them a wealth of activities, covering a variety of courses, a gala dinner, wonderful performances, award ceremonies and a charity auction. The event not only reviewed the glorious history of AICI Beijing Chapter, but also looked forward to the future development, fully demonstrating the leading role of the Beijing Chapter in the field of image management and education training.

Click HERE to read more about the event!

AICI DE&I Committee Releases Best Practices for Event Management

We are delighted to share a valuable resource with you: "Best Practices for Event Management," curated by the AICI Global DEI Committee. This initiative is geared towards promoting consistency within our AICI community, aiming to create events that go beyond the ordinary - events that foster inclusivity, meaningful connections, and contribute to positive social change. Join us in the journey to cultivate an environment where every attendee feels valued, respected, and seen for who they are.

Click here to read "Best Practices for Event Management"

Warm Regards,

DEI Committee - AICI Global

AICI x NORDSTROM STYLING COLLAB