Vera Wang
Vera Wang is my style/designer icon. I have always loved her work, and I aspire to be like her one day. Now, I love a lot of designers, and for many different reasons...but Vera was the first designer that I was ever introduced to as a child...and I sort of grew up with her styles and designs. Although sadly, the only thing of hers I ever bought was her perfume, Princess.
(I'm not exactly made of money)
(I'm not exactly made of money)
OK, so...for those of you who don't know who she is...let me tell you a little bit about Vera Ellen Wang. She was born June 27th 1949 in New York City. She is of Chinese decent,
daughter of Cheng Ching and Florence Wang. Vera also has a brother named kenneth who was born 18 months after her. The Wang family was extremely well off, as they lived on the upper east side, but her parents still encouraged
athletic excellence and expected academic intelligence. Vera's mother also taught her about style and they would often go to fashion shows in Paris!
daughter of Cheng Ching and Florence Wang. Vera also has a brother named kenneth who was born 18 months after her. The Wang family was extremely well off, as they lived on the upper east side, but her parents still encouraged
athletic excellence and expected academic intelligence. Vera's mother also taught her about style and they would often go to fashion shows in Paris!
Vera spent most of her childhood busy busy busy, she was in sewing classes, ballet lessons, and also took skating from the age of eight. she was extremely talented and skated at an elite level. though when she enrolled at Sarah Lawrence Collage, balancing skating full time and school was just too much, she had given up the first love of her life. This put Vera in a state of depression ...and she moved to Paris where she got her degree in History, and started her career in Fashion.
Vera started out working as an intern at Vogue to Polly Mellen, the fashion director, and quickly learned the business working up the ladder of success, and at the age of 23she was named the fashion editor of Vogue Magazine. She worked there until the mid 1980's, when she took a leave of absence due to the long hours and stressful working conditions. Vera worked extremely hard at her job, seven days a week. After 16 years with Vogue she decided to move back to Paris for two years, then working as an accessory designer at
Ralph Lauren. She also met her husband Arthur Becker at this time.
As Vera prepared for her wedding, in search for the perfect dress, she realized that her dream dress was no where to be found. She eventually gave in and hired a dress maker where she designed and made her $10,000 gown! this became her inspiration to start her own business. The couple married and adopted two children, Cecilia and Josephine as Vera was unable to have kids.
Ralph Lauren. She also met her husband Arthur Becker at this time.
As Vera prepared for her wedding, in search for the perfect dress, she realized that her dream dress was no where to be found. She eventually gave in and hired a dress maker where she designed and made her $10,000 gown! this became her inspiration to start her own business. The couple married and adopted two children, Cecilia and Josephine as Vera was unable to have kids.
In the early 1990's Vera had started her business with the help of her extremely successful father. Her label took off almost immediately, though she did not make tons of money immediately as the press saw her as a spoiled and privileged girl. She designed wedding dresses in the beginning, and also had her employees speak with the brides discussing jewelry, shoes, bridesmaid's dresses, hairstyles and more, to put the bride at ease. "I'm creating an image, a brand and a name." said Vera in the early years, and from there her business took off!
Today Vera designs everything from evening wear to costumes and uniforms. Vera also has a line of perfumes for men and women, and a collection of jewelry. Over the years Vera also wrote many books, including Wang, Vera, Vera Wang on Weddings, Harper Resource, created in 2001.
Today Vera designs everything from evening wear to costumes and uniforms. Vera also has a line of perfumes for men and women, and a collection of jewelry. Over the years Vera also wrote many books, including Wang, Vera, Vera Wang on Weddings, Harper Resource, created in 2001.
Vera Ellen Wang is a style Icon,and my hero!!
If you would like to learn more,or follow her career and designs her website is
