Happy Birthday, Vera Wang!

Okay, so this is two days late. I hope Ms. Wang doesn't mind this belated birthday tribute!

(I plan on doing special features like this in honor of designers whose birthdays come and go, tipping my cap to them with brief bios, examples of their work, and various other photographs and tidbits).

This past Sunday, Vera Wang turned 61 years old. Can you believe that? Only a few months ago I was stunned to discover how old the lovely designer really is. I am not lying, I never would have guessed that she was a day over 45. Am I the only one?

Bio

Vera Ellen Wang was born on 27 June 1949 in New York, New York (lucky!). She was the daughter of Chinese immigrants and has a younger brother, Kenneth.

In 1967 Wang graduated from the private, all-girls Chapin School in Manhattan. It was then on to the University of Paris as well as an art history degree from Sarah Lawrence College. Wang was also a dedicated figure skater, and when she did not make the U.S. Olympic team, she transitioned into her massively successful fashion career.

For sixteen years, Vera Wang held the position of senior fashion editor at American Vogue. She left the publication in 1985 for a design director role at Ralph Lauren. The year 1989 brought a marriage for Wang, to a Mr. Arthur Becker. In 1990, she launched her Vera Wang Lavender label in New York City's Carlyle Hotel and brought about the inception of her gorgeous (and highly-renowned) bridal wear. That very same year she had her first daughter, Cecilia, and three years later a second daughter, Josephine. (Beautiful names, aren't they?)

In 2001, Vera Wang's book Vera Wang on Weddings was published and a year later, in 2002, she entered the home fashion business with the Vera Wang China and Crystal Collection (expanding it in 2007 with Simply Vera, exclusively for Kohl's). 2005 brought a CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award for Wang, and in 2006 the Savannah College of Art and Design presented the designer with the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last Note

I am personally a fan of the filmy, ethereal qualities of much of Vera's work. The looks she plays with in all of her shows may vary, and very naturally do, but that very Vera Wang aesthetic always comes through. It's like a cool, neutral, and very classy take on true American style. (By the way, how does she make filmy material and neutral palettes look so edgy?) I really adore this woman. Do we even need to reiterate that Vera is one of definitive American visionaries in fashion design today?

Examples of Ms. Wang's Work

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2010RTW-VWANG/?loop=0&iphoto=21&play=false&cnt=59

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2010RTW-VWANG/?loop=0&iphoto=17&play=false&cnt=63

From her Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear show.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/2009RST-VWANG/?loop=0&iphoto=13&play=false&cnt=50

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/2009RST-VWANG/?loop=0&iphoto=25&play=false&cnt=35

Some looks from her Resort 2009 show.

http://www.verawangonweddings.com/fashion/GownCollection.aspx?Catalog=VWOW%20Fashion%20Content&SubCategory=Bridal%20-%20Fall%202010#

A few Fall 2010 bridal looks.

Happy Birthday, Vera Wang!