Vera Wang

Vera Wang (born June 27, 1949, New York, New York, U.S.) American fashion designer, best known for her elegant and sophisticated wedding dress and haute couture collections. She later branched into other lines, including menswear, jewelry, fragrances, eyewear, and home products.

Early life and education

Wang’s parents immigrated to the United States from China in the 1940s. Her father headed a successful pharmaceutical company, and her mother was a UN translator. Wang was early exposed to fashion by her stylish mother, who often took her to high-end fashion shows. At age six she began ice skating, and she later competed in pairs figure skating. At the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, she and her partner failed to qualify for the Olympics after placing outside the top three. Wang subsequently decided to stop skating competitively. At the time she was attending Sarah Lawrence College as a premed major, and she opted to spend a semester at the Sorbonne in Paris. While there she discovered her passion for fashion. After returning to Sarah Lawrence, she began studying theatre and art history.

From Vogue to wedding dresses

Following her graduation in 1971, Wang began working at Vogue magazine, where she was an assistant to the fashion director. She quickly moved up in the company, becoming fashion editor at the age of 23. In that position she was responsible for the magazine’s editorial fashion spreads. The job was demanding and left little time for her to pursue her dream of designing. Wang eventually left Vogue in 1987 to work at Ralph Lauren. There she designed accessories for the fashion label.

Unable to find a dress for her upcoming wedding, Wang designed her own in 1989. The following year she quit her job at Ralph Lauren and shortly after opened a couture bridal gown store, Vera Wang Bridal House, in New York City. At first Wang only offered dresses from other designers. However, she eventually began selling her own designs, and they proved so popular that the store exclusively sold her creations. Within a few years Wang expanded her collection to include bridesmaids’ dresses and couture evening gowns. She became known for using sheer fabric in her designs.

Wang gained a wider audience in 1992 and 1994, when figure skater Nancy Kerrigan wore her designs at the Winter Olympics. Wang went on to create costumes for other Olympic skaters, including Michelle Kwan and Nathan Chen. Soon celebrities were wearing her dresses at highly publicized events. In the late 1990s and early 2000s her designs also appeared on such television shows as Ugly Betty, Sex and the City, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In 2001 she released the book Vera Wang on Weddings.

Activities in the 21st century

Wang continued to expand her brand in the 21st century. In 2000 she offered her first ready-to-wear collection, which showcased an elegant draping and layering style combining modern and traditional touches. In 2003 she designed the outfits for the Philadelphia Eagles professional football cheerleading team. Wang opened wedding gown boutiques in the United States, and her designs were also available from high-end retailers throughout the world.

During this time Wang also released the first of several fragrances as well as a china and stemware line for the British company Wedgwood. In 2006 she collaborated with the department store chain Kohl’s to produce a more affordable collection of clothes, shoes, jewelry, handbags, and other items under the brand Simply Vera. In 2011 Wang partnered with jewelry store Zales to create a line of engagement and wedding rings—as well as other fashion jewelry—featuring diamonds with blue sapphire accents. In 2012 she entered into an agreement with Men’s Wearhouse, a clothing company, to offer tuxedos. The following year she received a lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.