2. Vera Wang and her gorgeous wedding dresses
Born and raised on the Upper East Side, Vera Wang attended the Chapin School, a prestigious school for girls. She later enrolled in Sarah Lawrence College on the pre-med track; however, she graduated with degrees in art history and theater. After studying abroad in Paris, Wang worked as a salesperson at Yves Saint Laurent‘s boutique on Madison Avenue. Here, she became immersed in the New York fashion world. The YSL designs appealed to her interests in feminine tomboy style. As a passionate employee, she captured the attention of Frances Patiky Stein, then fashion director of Vogue. He offered her a job at Vogue after she graduated college.
After 15 years at Vogue, Wang interviewed at Ralph Lauren. Intimidating her at first during the interview, Lauren asked Wang what she did not like about his designs. However, her honesty earned her the title “fashion designer.” After her father, a wealthy Chinese immigrant, pushed her to start her own bridal business, she began producing her famed wedding dresses. Today, Wang attempts to bring fashion and a fresh perspective to the wedding industry.
