Luck or Talent: Here’s How Vera Wang Became a Fashion Legend

Wang’s Childhood

Vera Wang’s career in the fashion industry is an inspiring one. She has built for herself an enviable career working on wedding dresses. Although virtually all the clothes from her brand are fashionable, but it is undeniable that she has gained popularity primarily for her wedding dresses.

Her venture in the wedding dress industry has helped her build a net worth of about $400 million as well as the love and adoration of brides all across the world.

One of Vera Wang’s collection. She professes that figure skating was her first true love

Wang was born in New York on June 27, 1949.  Her parents had relocated to the United States from Shanghai, China a couple of years before her birth. Her father had a job in the pharmaceutical industry while her mother was a translator for the United Nations.

Although Wang has always had an interest in art, figure skating was actually her first love. She attended Sarah Lawrence College and later proceeded to the University of Paris. Wang bagged an Art History degree from Sarah Lawrence.

Launch Into The Fashion Industry

Years down the line, Wang got a job at Vogue, and she went on to climb up the ladder to become Senior Fashion Editor in her first year at Vogue. Fifteen years later, she left Vogue and proceeded to become Ralph Lauren’s Accessories Design Director.

Wang worked at Vogue for 15 years before she moved to Ralph Lauren

Wang launched her own first bridal collection in 1990 by sketching her gown design. In order to bring the look to life, she had to pay a tailor $10,000. She got a loan from her dad that same year and opened a store in Carlyle Hotel, New York. It was her first store, and during those early years, it featured gowns from different designers such as Christian Dior, Carolina Herrera.

It was, however, her designs that gained the most popularity and that spurred her to launch her full line. The gowns became a hit almost instantly, all thanks to the gowns being a perfect blend of warm fabrics, clean lines, and a fairytale appeal.

Wang’s Successful Career

Over the years, different dignitaries and celebrities have worn either her wedding dresses or evening gowns. That includes Victoria Beckham, Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Mila Kunis, Chelsea Clinton, Viola Davis, Sandra Bullock, and Michelle Obama. She released her first book titled Vera Wang on Weddings in 2001.

The basic rate off her Vera Wang Bridal Collection (the basic line) is $2,900, and the price only increases. Her Luxe Collection gives room for additional customization and also has richer fabrics as well as more intricate designs.

The collection has a basic rate of $6,900. Wang’s gowns have appeared on diverse television shows such as “Gossip Girl,” “Sex and the City,” just to mention a few productions. According to sources, the waiting list for fitting at any of her showrooms can be between 2 to 4 weeks long. Currently, she has 21 locations across the globe, and that includes shops in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and London. Her success story is indeed an inspiring one.