BIOGRAPHY OF VERA WANG:
Early Life and Work
Vera Ellen Wang was born on June 27, 1949, in New York City. She is an American fashion designer renowned for her exquisite wedding dresses and haute couture collections. With a career spanning several decades, Wang has expanded her brand to encompass various lines, including menswear, jewelry, fragrances, eyewear, and home products.
Wang’s parents immigrated from China in the 1940s. Her father was the head of a pharmaceutical company, and her mother worked as a translator for the United Nations. She grew up in an affluent family, and her stylish mother exposed her to fashion from a young age. She would go to high-end fashion shows with her mother, growing up.
Figure skating was Vera Wang’s first pursuit. She competed in pairs skating at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1968. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College with a major in theater and art history, Wang embarked on a career in the fashion industry.
Fashion Career Beginnings
She began her journey at Vogue magazine, where she became the youngest editor there. However, Wang’s desire to design led her to leave Vogue and join Ralph Lauren, where she worked on accessories for the fashion label. In 1989, unable to find the perfect wedding dress for her own wedding, she designed her own gown. This pivotal moment inspired her to open her own bridal gown store. In 1990, at 40 years old, she launched the Vera Wang Bridal House.
Wang’s bridal gowns gained widespread recognition for their elegance and sophistication, attracting public figures and celebrities alike. Her designs have graced red carpet events, and have been featured in top fashion magazines. movies and television shows. The costumes that she has created for figure skaters at the Winter Olympic Games caused her reputation to soar. Skater Nancy Kerrigan wore her designs at the Winter Olympics in 1992 and 1994, leading to collaborations with other Olympic skaters.
Beyond bridal wear, Wang has expanded her brand to include ready-to-wear collections, accessories, fragrances, and home fashion products. She also wrote a book entitled, “Vera Wang On Weddings.”
Throughout her career, Wang has received numerous accolades, including a lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and Womenswear Designer of the Year award. In 2021, she was a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of the Arts award which was presented at the White House.
Personal Life of Vera Wang
In her personal life, Wang married Arthur P. Becker in 1989, and they have two adopted daughters. The couple announced their separation in 2012.