American Talent
The Greatest That Made It Great
American ingenuity architects
A chronicle of brilliance
Vera Wang is a major player in the fashion industry
The impact of Vera Wang goes far beyond her groundbreaking fashion creations. She broke barriers and set an example for other women and immigrants to follow in the corporate world. Her unique vision and shrewd business sense have helped her create a legacy in the fashion industry. She has not only displayed her enormous talent but also the potential of American creativity and invention to the world through her work.
Vera Wang has risen to the top of the fashion world thanks to her signature look, ground-breaking designs, and revolutionary impact on bridal wear. Wang is one of the most influential people in the world of fashion because he combines an exceptional eye for design with savvy commercial sense.
Beginnings in Life and Work Vera Wang was born to Chinese immigrants on June 27, 1949, in New York City. After failing to reach the U.S. Olympic team in figure skating, she switched her attention to fashion, a decision that would permanently alter the look of American bridal dress.
She got her start in the fashion industry when she was 23 and was promoted to Senior Fashion Editor at Vogue, making her the magazine's youngest ever employee. She left Vogue after 15 years to become Ralph Lauren's director of design. Her own wedding in 1989 and the stress of trying to locate the perfect dress inspired her to launch her own bridal wear company.
Wang, who is credited with revolutionizing wedding fashion, opened her first store in the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York City in 1990. Her creations were a refreshing change from the fussy, Victorian-era dresses that were more commonly worn at the period. Wang's approach, which blends European refinement and New York cool, quickly established her as the designer of choice for modern brides looking to make a statement.
Her reputation as the reigning monarch of bridal fashion is assured by the fact that several famous women have worn her designs for their wedding days.
Expanding into RtW and Beyond: Wang introduced RtW collections to her label in the late '90s. Her eyewear, perfume, and home lines, as well as a diffusion brand sold at more inexpensive boutiques, all adhere to her design ethos of understated sophistication.
Accolades: Wang has been honored with many accolades during her career, including the CFDA's Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2005 and the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2011. In 2017, she was recognized even further for her impact on the fashion industry by being awarded the Chevalier of France's Legion of Honor.
Beginnings in Life and Work Vera Wang was born to Chinese immigrants on June 27, 1949, in New York City. After failing to reach the U.S. Olympic team in figure skating, she switched her attention to fashion, a decision that would permanently alter the look of American bridal dress.
She got her start in the fashion industry when she was 23 and was promoted to Senior Fashion Editor at Vogue, making her the magazine's youngest ever employee. She left Vogue after 15 years to become Ralph Lauren's director of design. Her own wedding in 1989 and the stress of trying to locate the perfect dress inspired her to launch her own bridal wear company.
Wang, who is credited with revolutionizing wedding fashion, opened her first store in the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York City in 1990. Her creations were a refreshing change from the fussy, Victorian-era dresses that were more commonly worn at the period. Wang's approach, which blends European refinement and New York cool, quickly established her as the designer of choice for modern brides looking to make a statement.
Her reputation as the reigning monarch of bridal fashion is assured by the fact that several famous women have worn her designs for their wedding days.
Expanding into RtW and Beyond: Wang introduced RtW collections to her label in the late '90s. Her eyewear, perfume, and home lines, as well as a diffusion brand sold at more inexpensive boutiques, all adhere to her design ethos of understated sophistication.
Accolades: Wang has been honored with many accolades during her career, including the CFDA's Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2005 and the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2011. In 2017, she was recognized even further for her impact on the fashion industry by being awarded the Chevalier of France's Legion of Honor.
