Vera Wangs early history is compelling - she was born in 1949 in New York, with her parents having fled the communist revolution in China.
Initially she was an excellent figure skater but failed to make the Olympic team in 1968 and so went to Paris and the US to study at the Sorbonne and Sarah Lawrence College respectively.
She is famous for becoming the youngest-ever editor of Vogue magazine when she graduated in 1970.
It was to prove a wise decision as she remained at Vogue for 17 years, leaving in 1987 to work for Ralph Lauren for two years.
Her first house was opened on Madison avenue in New York in 1990, specialising in evening gowns and wedding dresses.
Her bridal gowns are now her trademark, using silk lace and satin with the roots of their designs in Paris but with the shapes applied to American clothing such as the vest dress.
Strangely she has ended up once again being associated with Olympic figure skating, designing costumes for skaters thanks to her use of beating and net to give an appearance of bare skin.
In particular Nancy Kerrigan wore her costume in 1994 at the Winter Olympics.
Vera is also known for her Oscar night designs and also produced the wedding dress for Mariah Carey for her 1993 wedding to Tommy Mottola.
Other famous clients include Cate Blanchett, Victoria Beckham, Uma Thurman, Sharon Stone and Alicia Silverstone. |
