Red carpet queen Wang honored
By Samantha Critchell |
June 16, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
VERA Wang, arguably the queen of red-carpet dressing, didn't go into the fashion business with stars in her eyes. She knew about its less glamorous side, the hard work and, especially, the risks. And there were plenty doubts along the way.
But every time one person - and, she says, it really just takes one - understands what she's trying to express with a certain drape of a fabric, a particular color or a new silhouette, she's reminded of the reason why she became involved in fashion, and why she's still in it: There's an indefinable payoff that comes when she's helped a woman look and feel her best.
"I didn't come into this like all these teenagers who don't know better. I wasn't a 'young, new designer,' but I was a new designer and had to go through those growing pains. The risks were apparent to me, and I had seen so many of my friends go through ups and downs," Wang said in a recent interview.
Wang, 63, was honored for lifetime achievement by the Council of Fashion Designers of America at its star-studded awards show on June 3, at the Lincoln Center in New York. She accepted the award from her mentor (and former employer) Ralph Lauren.
"To all the women and men I have dressed, thank you for your trust," she said during her acceptance speech.
There's rarely a Hollywood event or an A-list wedding where Wang's name doesn't come up.
Her hits includes the lavender skirt actress Sharon Stone paired with a Gap shirt at the Oscars in 1998 and Chelsea Clinton's crystal-waistband wedding gown in 2010.
She has a lower-priced line at Kohl's and another one at David's Bridal and branched out into other goods.
Ahead of the CFDA ceremony, Lauren wrote that when "Vera Wang came to work for me over 23 years ago I saw a unique young woman with a rare passion for fashion.
"In the years since, I have watched her drive, dedication and talent shape an entire world inspired by her life - first as a bride, then as a wife and mother, but always as a strong and beautiful woman."
Wang, however, wasn't always sure this would be her path. She studied art history at Sarah Lawrence College, New York, and was a competitive figure skater in contention for a spot on the 1968 US Olympic team. Her family wasn't initially supportive of fashion as a career path, and didn't back her at first. So she went to work as an editor at Vogue, and then at Ralph Lauren. She had earned her stripes.
"I first met Vera over 30 years ago when she was working at Vogue, and the only thing that has gone quicker than those three decades is Vera herself," said Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour.
"Whether designing, ice-skating, fundraising, or flitting from here to her house in LA, she's constantly on the move and striving to do more, more, more. She leaves us all in the dust!"
Wang launched her company in 1990 as a bridal brand with a shop at the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue and a sinking feeling in her stomach. She still feels that way sometimes when she's about to take another big leap, she acknowledged, but said each success pushes her a little further.
"I was always taught that anyone should be able to pursue their dream and that the biggest crime is not to try. That made me motivated, and I didn't want to wonder what could have happened."
And the perk that comes with it all? "I have a great closet," she said.
But every time one person - and, she says, it really just takes one - understands what she's trying to express with a certain drape of a fabric, a particular color or a new silhouette, she's reminded of the reason why she became involved in fashion, and why she's still in it: There's an indefinable payoff that comes when she's helped a woman look and feel her best.
"I didn't come into this like all these teenagers who don't know better. I wasn't a 'young, new designer,' but I was a new designer and had to go through those growing pains. The risks were apparent to me, and I had seen so many of my friends go through ups and downs," Wang said in a recent interview.
Wang, 63, was honored for lifetime achievement by the Council of Fashion Designers of America at its star-studded awards show on June 3, at the Lincoln Center in New York. She accepted the award from her mentor (and former employer) Ralph Lauren.
"To all the women and men I have dressed, thank you for your trust," she said during her acceptance speech.
There's rarely a Hollywood event or an A-list wedding where Wang's name doesn't come up.
Her hits includes the lavender skirt actress Sharon Stone paired with a Gap shirt at the Oscars in 1998 and Chelsea Clinton's crystal-waistband wedding gown in 2010.
She has a lower-priced line at Kohl's and another one at David's Bridal and branched out into other goods.
Ahead of the CFDA ceremony, Lauren wrote that when "Vera Wang came to work for me over 23 years ago I saw a unique young woman with a rare passion for fashion.
"In the years since, I have watched her drive, dedication and talent shape an entire world inspired by her life - first as a bride, then as a wife and mother, but always as a strong and beautiful woman."
Wang, however, wasn't always sure this would be her path. She studied art history at Sarah Lawrence College, New York, and was a competitive figure skater in contention for a spot on the 1968 US Olympic team. Her family wasn't initially supportive of fashion as a career path, and didn't back her at first. So she went to work as an editor at Vogue, and then at Ralph Lauren. She had earned her stripes.
"I first met Vera over 30 years ago when she was working at Vogue, and the only thing that has gone quicker than those three decades is Vera herself," said Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour.
"Whether designing, ice-skating, fundraising, or flitting from here to her house in LA, she's constantly on the move and striving to do more, more, more. She leaves us all in the dust!"
Wang launched her company in 1990 as a bridal brand with a shop at the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue and a sinking feeling in her stomach. She still feels that way sometimes when she's about to take another big leap, she acknowledged, but said each success pushes her a little further.
"I was always taught that anyone should be able to pursue their dream and that the biggest crime is not to try. That made me motivated, and I didn't want to wonder what could have happened."
And the perk that comes with it all? "I have a great closet," she said.
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