Meet Vera Wang, The Designer Who Started Her Bridal Label At 40 & Amassed Rs 5,419 Crore Net Worth
Vera Wang's clientele ranges from celebrities like the Kardashians to former First Lady Michelle Obama, and her stunning wedding gowns which are highly sought after by women globally, come with a hefty price tag amounting to thousands of dollars.
At 74 years old, Vera Wang has designed bridal gowns for celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Hailey Bieber, Ariana Grande, Son Ye-jin, and more. Despite establishing her label in 1990 after departing from prestigious roles at Vogue magazine and Ralph Lauren, Wang continues to allure top clients, showcasing her enduring appeal in the fashion industry.
It¡¯s not just her jaw-dropping designs that capture the fancy of people but also her youthful glow. 74-year-old Wang is often called ¡®ageless¡¯ by the public and the internet.?
Who Is Vera Wang??
The American fashion designer used to be a figure skater. Apart from clothes, she has also designed houseware, shoes, fragrances and jewellery among other things.
Vera Wang, born on June 27, 1949, in New York City, is the daughter of Florence Wu and Cheng Ching Wang, who immigrated to the U.S. from China in the 1940s. Her mother was a United Nations translator, and her father owned a medicine company, having graduated from Yanjing University and MIT. Wang has a younger brother named Kenneth.
At 8, Vera Wang began figure skating and pursued it competitively, even vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team at the 1968 Championships. Although she didn't make the team, she continues to skate and has designed numerous figure skating costumes. She attended Chapin School and later Sarah Lawrence College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in art history in 1971, with a study abroad stint at the University of Paris.
Also Read:?Who Is The Richest Kardashian? From Kim To Kris, Here's A Breakdown Of Their Net Worth
Vera Wang Became The Youngest Editor At Vogue, Started Her Own Label At 40!
¡°If anyone had said, [I¡¯d be] the girl who didn¡¯t get married until she was 40 [and] would build a business based on wedding gowns, I would have laughed,¡± Wang said in an interview with CNBC Make It
After graduating, Vera Wang made waves as the youngest editor at "Vogue," holding the position for 17 years before Anna Wintour took over. She then joined Ralph Lauren where she worked for a couple of years. Despite success in the fashion world, she yearned to create her own designs, leading her to establish her bridal label at 40. In 1990, she inaugurated her boutique at the Carlyle Hotel, expanding globally to cities like London and Tokyo. In 2002, she ventured into home design with The Vera Wang China and Crystal Collection. Later, she collaborated with Kohl's for the Simply Vera retail line, democratizing her designs. She replicated this approach with bridal wear, launching "White by Vera Wang" with David's Bridal in 2011, offering affordable wedding gowns.?
Here¡¯s How Vera Wang Started Her Own Label At 40
In her own words, Vera Wang recounts her journey to becoming a fashion designer, driven by the pursuit of finding her own wedding dress. Despite her success in the fashion industry, she initially felt unsatisfied with the available options for bridal gowns. Inspired by her father's encouragement, she took a leap of faith, leaving her position at Ralph Lauren to start her own bridal wear company at the age of 40. This decision marked the beginning of her entrepreneurial and creative journey, which coincided with her personal milestones of marriage and motherhood.
Also Read:?First Indian Fashion Designer To Walk The Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet: How Rich Is Sabyasachi?
What Is Vera Wang's Net Worth?
Known for her iconic wedding dress designs, Vera Wang has become a go-to for celebrities seeking custom gowns for their weddings. Her clientele includes Chelsea Clinton, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Ivanka Trump, and the Kardashian sisters. Beyond bridal wear, Wang's evening wear has graced the runways of New York Fashion Week and adorned stars like Michelle Obama, Viola Davis, and Sofia Vergara.
Apart from her influence in the fashion world, Vera Wang has left a mark in figure skating as well. Her designs have graced the ice at top events like the Winter Olympics, with skaters like Nancy Kerrigan, Michelle Kwan, Evan Lysacek, and Nathan Chen showcasing her creations. Wang's dedication to the sport earned her a spot in the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2009. Additionally, she has ventured into sports apparel, designing uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders.
Her net worth is said to be around 650 million dollars (Rs 5,419 crore approx).
