At the age of 73, Vera Wang stands as a living testament that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. Known for designing wedding gowns for celebrities on their big day, her custom designs have graced numerous wedding aisles.
From the Kardashian sisters and Victoria Beckham to Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys, and fashion icons like Carrie Bradshaw and Blair Waldorf, Vera Wang’s bridal creations have been the choice of many. Recently, Hailey Bieber and Ariana Grande selected custom-made gowns by Wang for their weddings.
However, the wedding aisle isn't the only place where Wang's famous dresses leave a lasting impression. Some of her historic designs have made their way to the red carpet with the same impact and glamour. Andra Day, an Oscar winner, showcased the golden standard of Wang's custom work at this year's Oscars.
Michelle Williams' Oscar look from 2006 is often cited as one of the best dresses to ever walk the red carpet, while Grande's Sistine Chapel printed ball gown for the 2018 Met Gala amazed everyone.
Being the epitome of luxury for any bride over the past three decades, Wang’s journey has been nothing short of a masterclass in creativity. On her birthday, we explore her unexpected path and the story of building her fashion empire.
From the age of seven until her late teens, Vera Wang was fully committed to her career in figure skating. Feeling she had reached the peak of her abilities, young Wang decided it was time to move on from the highly competitive sport after failing to make the U.S. Olympic team in 1968.
Entering the world of fashion, Wang began working at the Yves Saint Laurent boutique on Madison Ave during her first college year. There, she met Vogue fashion director Frances Patiky Stein.
In 1971, Wang started working as an assistant to Polly Mellen in Vogue's fashion department. Fresh from Paris, she arrived on her first day at the publication in a chic yet impractical Parisian look. Wearing a white Saint Laurent mini dress and high heels, the story goes that Mellen took one look at her, questioning how she expected to work and get around in her current outfit, before sending her home to change.
Wang became one of the magazine's youngest fashion editors and worked in publishing for nearly two decades, collaborating with some of the most legendary creatives of our time, such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon.
Feeling she had reached her peak at the magazine, Wang made a complete career shift. During her tenure as design director at Ralph Lauren, she got engaged and noticed a significant gap in the bridal market for fashion-forward individuals.
At the age of 40, Wang forged a new path in her personal and professional life, taking a leap of faith by opening her own bridal boutique on Madison Avenue.
In her book, "Vera Wang on Weddings," she wrote, "As a fashion professional and former bride, I can now translate all this knowledge and love of style into the visual and emotional vocabulary of weddings. Having experienced weddings from both personal and professional perspectives, I can honestly say there is no one more dedicated to brides than me."
Wang's courage and intuition certainly paid off. Specializing in her namesake label, she built a fashion and lifestyle empire comprising her signature bridal wear, a ready-to-wear line, eyewear, fragrances, fine jewelry, and home essentials.
To make her brand accessible at various price points, Wang's three-tiered retail approach ranges from custom designs to mid-range pricing and discount stores, ensuring her designs reach both the top 1% and the masses.
In April of this year, Wang inked a 10-year deal with a bridal distributor in Barcelona to collaborate on launching the Vera Wang Bride line in October 2021, with prices ranging from $1,600 to $4,000.
Vera Wang is an anomaly. She walks a fine line between commitment and knowing when to move on. Wang is living proof that when one door closes, another opens.
Starting her business from scratch at the age of 40 without any formal training or design education, the bridal house owner has now received the CFDA’s Womenswear Designer of the Year award, dressed former First Lady Michelle Obama, and had some of the most famous brides and red carpet dresses attributed to her name. Now at 73, she continues to inspire with her unparalleled journey and creativity.
