Vera Wang

Summary

Former Vogue editor Vera Wang transformed her independent bridal boutique into a fashion and lifestyle empire that spans diversified products from ready-to-wear to engagement rings, dinner plates and bridal couture — at a variety of price points from luxury to the masses.

History

The daughter of affluent Chinese immigrants- wedding doyenne Vera Ellen Wang was born and bred in New York. She began figure skating at eight- trained with James Stuart- competed at U.S. Figure Skating Championships 1968 and was featured in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd.

Wang attended University of Paris and graduated in art history from Sarah Lawrence College. She began her career at the forefront of fashion as Editor of Vogue in 1971 and stayed on for seventeen years- later joining Ralph Lauren as Design Director for Accessories. In 1989 Wang wed Arthur Becker. Word has it that disappointed with the slim selection of bridal wear.. she sketched the design and commissioned a dressmaker to make her wedding gown. Pleased with the results.. Wang opened a salon in Carlyle Hotel in New York carrying both evening-wear and bridal gowns and later opened bridal boutiques in New York -London- Tokyo and Sydney.. expanding to fragrance- jewellery- eyewear- footwear and home-ware over the years.

Though Vera Wang is a favourite with celebrity brides including Chelsea Clinton- Ivanka Trump- Alicia Keys- Mariah Carey- Victoria Beckham- Khloe and Kim Kardashian.. she is acclaimed for designing costumes for figure skaters Nancy Kerrigan- Michelle Kwan- Evan Lysacek and Nathan Chen. Wang was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2009 for her contribution to the sport as a costume designer and told People: “It’s not for the faint of heart. If one strap were to break or if the beading on the sleeve gets caught when they turn.. their whole Olympics is over.” On October 23, 2001 her book “Vera Wang on Weddings” made headlines. Council of Fashion Designers of America honoured Vera Wang by naming her “Womenswear Designer of the Year” in 2005 and gave her “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2013.

There was no looking back. Wang is the owner of a unit in 740 Park Ave co-op- reportedly the childhood home of Jackie Kennedy. The designer collaborated with Kohl’s to produce an inexpensive line of ready-to-wear titled “Simply Vera” and teamed up with Men’s Wearhouse to design tuxedos for both retail and rental. The same year, she expanded in Australia with “Vera Wang Bride- Sydney” and opened her first Asian flagship “Vera Wang Bridal Korea” in Seoul.

Forbes placed her the 34th in “America’s Richest Self-Made Women 2018” and her revenues rose to reported $630 million that year. In September 2019- after a sabbatical of two years- Vera Wang returned to New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2020 with a showing that celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of her brand. It got positive reviews with Nicole Phelps describing it in Vogue as “Wang has decades of experience balancing women’s real-life needs with the oftentimes frivolous details that glamour demands” while Bridget Foley wrote in WWD: “Wang is both practitioner and student not only of fashion but of clothes. She works obsessively on silhouette, construction and fit… Beautiful seriously designed clothes presented with gutsy panache…”

“People have done far better than me in far shorter periods of time but that wasn’t my story” Wang told BoF. “It was brick by brick, client by client, store by store. It’s been a trip of passion but it has not been a quick trip. Nor has it been easy. And that is the truth.” Wang’s wedding gowns have been referenced in popular culture including “Sex and the City” and “Gossip Girl”. Acclaimed for her iconic wedding gowns and evening wear driven by artistic modern design.. Vera Wang’s collections continues to command respect and popularity worldwide.

Mission Statement

Vera Wang’s mission extends beyond her renowned bridal and ready-to-wear collections, aiming to cultivate a holistic, luxury lifestyle brand that encapsulates elegance and sophistication across multiple domains. By transcending the traditional confines of fashion, Wang seeks to establish a comprehensive lifestyle ecosystem that resonates with her clientele in every aspect of their lives. This mission is rooted in the belief that style and beauty can permeate all areas, from the wardrobe to the home environment, allowing her brand to touch upon the intimate moments that define personal and shared experiences.

In addition to her iconic bridal gowns, Vera Wang has successfully ventured into various sectors, including publishing, fragrance, beauty, and home accessories. Each of these categories reflects her distinct design philosophy, characterized by modernity, artistry, and a keen attention to detail. Her fragrance line captures the essence of romance and sophistication, while her beauty products emphasize the importance of personal expression and self-care. The home collection complements this lifestyle approach, featuring decor and essentials that embody the same refined aesthetic found in her fashion creations. By offering products that enrich everyday living, Wang empowers her customers to curate their own unique style narratives.

Moreover, Vera Wang’s mission emphasizes a commitment to creativity and innovation, encouraging her to constantly explore new avenues for expression. Through collaborations and partnerships, she aims to expand her brand’s reach while remaining true to her core values of craftsmanship and elegance. By envisioning a lifestyle that intertwines various elements of beauty, Vera Wang not only enhances her brand’s versatility but also strengthens her connection with a diverse audience. Ultimately, her mission is about creating a multi-dimensional experience that allows individuals to celebrate life’s moments, big and small, through the lens of exceptional design and style.

Vision

Iconic fashion designer Vera Wang has created a unique aspirational world that alludes to sensuality and youthful elegance. She loves creating a fantasy for brides-to-be with her bridal wear line- inspired by her own search for the dream bridal wear. In sync with her vision Vera Wang continues to showcase collections known for sophisticated drama, feminine detailing and a modern approach to bridal design. In 2000 Vera Wang’s enthusiasm for couture fashion resulted in the launch of her ready-to-wear collection.

The Vera Wang brand reflects her vision to create a lifestyle that goes beyond core bridal and ready-to-wear, and into publishing, fragrance, beauty, accessories and home. These collections are positioned at the highest end of the luxury market. Driven by artistic, modern and luxurious design and style, couture-like quality and a high level of customer service, Vera Wang’s collections hold impeccable customer appeal.

Products and Services

Vera Wang’s products reflect her commitment to elegance and sophistication, beginning with her foundational focus on bridal wear and evening gowns. Known for her innovative designs and luxurious fabrics, Wang revolutionized the bridal market with her unique approach to wedding dresses. Her collections feature intricate detailing, modern silhouettes, and a palette that ranges from traditional whites to bold colors, catering to a diverse clientele seeking individuality on their special day. The bridal experience is further enhanced by personalized consultations, allowing brides to create bespoke gowns that truly represent their vision and style.

As her luxury brand evolved, Wang expanded into ready-to-wear lines, bringing her signature aesthetic to everyday fashion. Her ready-to-wear collections encompass a range of garments that balance contemporary chic with timeless elegance, making them ideal for various occasions. The integration of luxurious fabrics and innovative designs ensures that her collections stand out while remaining versatile. In addition, Vera Wang has ventured into fashion accessories, offering a selection of jewellery, eyewear, and footwear that complements her core collections. Each accessory is designed with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality, allowing customers to complete their looks with pieces that embody Wang’s distinctive style.

Further broadening her luxury brand’s horizons, Vera Wang has successfully entered the fragrance and homeware markets. Her fragrance line captures the essence of romance and femininity, appealing to customers looking for signature scents that reflect their personalities. In the realm of homeware, Wang offers elegant decor and essentials that blend artistry with functionality, allowing individuals to curate beautiful living spaces. This diverse range of products and services exemplifies her vision of a holistic lifestyle brand, enabling her clientele to experience the luxury and sophistication of Vera Wang in all aspects of their lives, from fashion to home.

Awards and Recognition

In 2005 Vera Wang was awarded the Council of Fashion Designer of America Womenswear “Designer of the year” award and gave her “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2013. Later she received “André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Savannah College of Art and Design . Wang’s wedding gowns have also been referenced in popular culture, including “Sex and the City”, “Gossip Girl”, “The West Wing” and “How to Get Away with Murder”

References

• Official website Vera Wang
• Vera Wang CFDA
• Facebook page of Vera Wang Facebook
• Meet Vera Wang- the Bride Maker Vogue
• Twitter page of Vera Wang Twitter
• Vera Wang SS23 Vogue
• Instagram page of Vera Wang Instagram
• Designer Vera Wang has transformed a stately New York duplex Vogue
• Vera Wang returns, with hippie hair and couture lingerie Yahoo!
• Wiki page of Vera Wang Wikipedia
• Vera Wang to wed Arthur Becker The New York Times
• Vera Wang RTW Spring 2020 WWD
• Vera Wang On Ice The New York Times
• LinkedIn page of Vera Wang LinkedIn
• Going once- going twice The New York Times
• Youtube channel of Vera Wang Youtube
• Vera Wang celebrates 72nd birthday Today
• 12 Most Stunning Vera Wang Brides Vogue
• Vera Wang opens 1st Asia flagship in Seoul Korea Times