Fashion

W is for Vera Wang

Widely regarded as the woman who put fashion and sophisticated glamour back into bridal wear, Vera Wang’s style reflects her lifelong love of fashion, and celebrates the romance, sensuality and spirit of modern young women.

Born in 1949 Wang was raised in an affluent family and attended The Chapin School as well as the Sorbonne in Paris. A native New Yorker, she grew up surrounded by fashion, often accompanying her mother to the world's most stylish boutiques and fashion shows in Paris. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in art history, but it was her own marriage that ultimately inspired her to start her own business.

Having joined Vogue at age 23 she became the youngest fashion editor ever. In the role she interacted with the world's leading designers and brought their visions and sense of style to the world. Many of these designers became personal friends and mentors and helped Vera Wang deepen her knowledge of the business of fashion.

After 16 years she left Vogue having been turned down for the editor-in-chief job and joined Ralph Lauren as a design director for two years. In 1990 she opened her own design salon in New York which featured her trademark bridal gowns.

Inspired by a new vision where fashion and bridal meet, she introduced style and modernity to wedding gowns, creating the foundation for a luxury fashion brand that has since expanded into various related categories. Vera Wang collections are positioned in the highest end of the luxury market, driven by an artistic modern and luxurious design style, and couture-like quality.

She has designed costumes for figure skaters, and has made wedding gowns for: Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Avril Lavigne, Victoria Beckham, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Uma Thurman, among others.

Wang has expanded her brand name through her fragrance, jewelry, eyeware, shoe and houseware collections. She also wrote the book Vera Wang on Weddings, and in 2005 won the Council of the Fashion Designers of America Womenswear Designer of the Year. In 2006 Wang was awarded the Andre Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and appeared as a guest judge in the third season of Project Runway.

Earning praise from the fashion elite for her use of luxurious fabrics, exquisite detailing and modern interpretation of classic lines, Vera Wang’s philosophy remains simple and elegant and her voice clearly distinguished from other designers.

By Nikki Webber - Christchurch