Who Is Vera Wang?
On June 3, 2013, Vera Wang walked into Lincoln Center in New York City to be celebrated for her impact on the fashion industry. Fashion is a word that refers to the types of clothing that are popular at any given moment, and fashion designers create those outfits and pieces. After more than forty years of working in the field, Vera was being honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The council is made up of a group of people who have dedicated their lives to celebrating and uplifting American designers who have created the best pieces of clothing.
The annual Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards are the biggest and most important honors given to fashion designers each year. Vera had already won the Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2005. This time, she was being recognized not just for her designs but also for her lifetime of impact on the fashion world.
After important guests and fellow designers had filed into the theater, Vera’s former boss and mentor, Ralph Lauren, gave a heartfelt speech that brought tears to her eyes. Then he presented her with the award.
Though Vera was a leader at the Council of Fashion Designers of America, she had been surprised and honored when she found out she was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. Holding the trophy, she thanked not just the people she worked with in fashion but also the people who had bought and worn her clothing over the years. She herself wore a long black silky gown from her own Vera Wang collection—with a pair of pants under it. Her outfit reflected one of her main goals as a designer: to make fashion unexpected and unique.
Following the awards ceremony, Vera hosted an after-party at the Four Seasons Restaurant. At the elegant event, famous designers mingled with Hollywood stars. Everyone was there to celebrate and honor the woman who had dressed countless celebrities on the red carpet and revolutionized the bridal gown business.
Reflecting on her success, Vera said, “I was always taught that anyone should be able to pursue their dream and that the biggest crime is not to try.” Even though she had experienced moments of doubt and struggle, she said she still “would have done anything to be in fashion.” With her excellent eye for style, a strong work ethic, and business smarts, her dream of working in fashion had come true in a big way.
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