Biography
Vera Wang, born Vera Ellen Wang on June 27, 1949 in New York City, is an American fashion designer known for her bridal gowns and other haute couture. Wang initially pursued a career in figure skating, competing in the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but shifted her focus to fashion after attending Sarah Lawrence College.
Her fashion career began at Vogue Magazinewhere she worked as an editor for 17 years before moving to Ralph Lauren as design director. However, in 1990, at the age of 40, Vera Wang really made her mark by launching her own bridal line after being dissatisfied with the wedding dresses available for her own wedding.
Wang’s brand quickly became synonymous with luxury and elegance, expanding beyond bridal wear to include ready-to-wear, accessories, fragrances, and even a homewear collection. Her designs are known for their intricate detailing, use of high-quality fabrics, and modern yet timeless aesthetics. Over the years, Vera Wang has dressed countless celebrities and become a staple in the world of high fashion, receiving numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to the industry.
American fashion designer
Vera Wang | |
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Vera Wang: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos | |
Wiki Events & About Data | |
Real name: | Vera Ellen Vuong |
Stage name: | Vera Wang |
Born: | June 27, 1949 (age 75) |
Place of birth: | New York, New York, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Education: | Sarah Lawrence College (BA), Chapin School for Women |
Height: | 1.61 meters |
Parents: | Trinh Thanh Vuong, Florence Wu |
Siblings: | Kenneth Wang, Carrie Ann Inaba |
Couple: | Arthur P. Becker (married 1989–2012) |
Boyfriend • Partner: | Evan Lysacek (2012), Patrick Péra (1970–1972) |
The children: | Cecilia Becker, Josephine Becker |
Job: | Fashion Designer • Businesswoman |
Net worth: | 650 million dollars (USD) |
Early life and education
Vera Wang was born on June 27, 1949, in New York City, New York, United States. She is of Chinese descent, reflecting her ethnicity through her parents’ heritage. Her parents, Florence Wu (née Tang) and Cheng Ching Wang, immigrated from Shanghai, China. Her father was a renowned neurosurgeon, and her mother was a renowned interior designer, which gave Vera early exposure to art and high social expectations.
Vera Wang grew up in an affluent environment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where she attended the prestigious Chapin School for GirlsHer family background gave her a cultured, refined life and high social standards, which would later influence her fashion career.
In terms of religion, although specific information about her religious practices is not detailed, her family background suggests that she was raised Christian, as her parents were known to be part of the Christian community in China before moving to the United States.
Vera has an older sister, Carrie Ann Inaba, who is notably not from her immediate family but was adopted by her parents later in life. Carrie Ann is a famous dancer, choreographer and television personality. She has an older brother named Kenneth Wang.
In education, Vera Wang attended Sarah Lawrence Collegewhere she studied art history. Although her initial passion was figure skating, her career shifted to fashion after she realized her talents lay elsewhere.
Career
Vera Wang began her professional career at Vogue magazine, where she worked for 17 years, eventually becoming senior fashion editor. This role gave her a deep understanding of fashion trends and nurtured her unique vision.
After Vogue, she joined Ralph Lauren, where she served as design director. This experience played a pivotal role in teaching her the business side of fashion, from design to marketing strategy.
In 1990, at the age of 40, Vera Wang launched her own bridal line, driven by a desire to create something more unique than traditional bridal fashion. Starting with a single store on Madison Avenue, her designs quickly became acclaimed for their modern and elegant aesthetic.
Recognizing the potential for expansion, Wang diversified her brand. She moved into ready-to-wear, evening gowns and accessories, expanding her appeal beyond weddings. Her foray into fragrance, with her first fragrance in 2002, and then home decor, marked her expansion into a lifestyle brand.
Vera Wang dresses are worn by celebrities at major events, greatly enhancing the brand’s reputation. Her global presence is growing with stores all over the world, making her designs accessible worldwide.
Throughout her career, Wang has received numerous awards, including the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award, in recognition of her significant contributions to the fashion industry.
Social media
- Wikipedia: Vera Wang
- Website: Vera Wang (https://www.verawang.com)
- Instagram: Vera Wang (@verawang)
- Facebook: Vera Wang
- YouTube: Vera Wang
- IMDb: Vera Wang
- Twitter: Vera Wang (@VeraWang) · X
- TikTok: Vera Wang (@verawang)
Personal life
Vera Wang was married to Arthur P. Becker, an American real estate investor and developer. They were married in an interfaith ceremony in 1989, combining Baptist and Jewish traditions. After 23 years of marriage, they separated in 2012.
During their marriage, they adopted two daughters, Cecilia Becker, born in 1990, and Josephine Becker, born in 1993. Both daughters prefer to keep their lives private. Cecilia attended University of Pennsylvaniawhile Josephine studied at Harvard University.
Vera Wang’s height is around 1.61 m as her public image focuses more on her professional achievements than her personal information.
She has also been in relationships with Evan Lysacek (2012) and Patrick Péra (1970–1972).
Net worth
Vera Wang, a famous American fashion designer, has built a considerable fortune through her successful career, especially for her bridal and luxury lines. Her net worth is estimated at $650 million.
This wealth stems from her namesake brand, which includes bridal gowns, ready-to-wear, fragrances and home decor collections. Many celebrities have worn her designs at major events, increasing the brand’s prestige and financial success.
Vera Wang’s journey from figure skater to Vogue fashion editor and eventually launching her own label highlights her entrepreneurial spirit and design talent, factors that played a major role in her financial success.
Collection
Vera Wang, known for her extensive brand that goes beyond wedding dresses, offers a wide variety of products. Here’s a breakdown of what she sells:
Wedding dress
- Signature Wedding Dresses: Vera Wang is synonymous with luxury wedding dresses, offering styles ranging from classic, timeless designs to modern, avant-garde styles. Her bridal collections are renowned for their attention to detail and exquisite fabrics.
Ready to wear
- Evening Dresses: In addition to wedding dresses, Wang also offers elegant and sophisticated evening dresses, often worn at red carpet events and gala dinners.
- Casual Wear: She also has a product line that includes day dresses, tops, bottoms and more, catering to a wider fashion market.
Accessory
- Handbags: Vera Wang’s handbag collection includes everything from clutches perfect for evening events to everyday totes and shoulder bags. They are often characterized by sleek designs and high-quality materials.
- Jewelry: The brand also offers a wide range of jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets and engagement rings, which often complement her clothing line.
- Shoes: Vera Wang designs shoes that are both functional and fashionable, often matching the aesthetic of her dresses and handbags.
Scent
- Vera Wang Perfumes: She has launched a number of successful perfumes, including:
- Princess Vera Wang (and many other assistants such as Princess Eau de Toilette, Princess Eau de Parfum, etc.)
- Vera Wang Love
- Vera Wang Hug
- Vera Wang Pink Peony
- Vera Wang Only Vera
These scents range from sweet, floral to more subtle woody scents, appealing to a wide range of audiences.
Home Collection
- Bedding: Vera Wang’s home line includes luxurious bedding with high thread counts and elegant designs.
- Tableware: From tablecloths to dinnerware, her collection of homewares helps create an elegant dining experience.
- Home Accessories: Include items like candles, decorative pillows, and other decor that reflect her signature style.
Beauty and skin care
- Beauty Products: While not as diverse as her fashion line, Vera Wang has ventured into beauty products with items like candles, part of her homeware collection but often considered personal luxury items.
Other projects
- Eyewear: Vera Wang also designs eyeglasses and sunglasses, combining fashion with function.
- Lingerie: She has also ventured into creating lingerie to complement her bridal and evening wear collections.