Vera Wang
Born 1949 · Age 76
American fashion designer best known for bridal wear; former figure skater; founder of the Vera Wang bridal and fashion brand.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Vera Wang and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Parents immigrated to the United States
Wang's Chinese parents immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-1940s (family background).
Born in New York City
Vera Ellen Wang born to Chinese immigrant parents in Manhattan, New York City.
Began figure skating
Started figure skating (trained under Peter Dunfield and Sonya Klopfer; Skating Club of New York).
Graduated Chapin School
Completed secondary education at the Chapin School in Manhattan.
Presented as debutante
Presented at the International Debutante Ball at the Waldorf Astoria, New York.
Competed at U.S. Figure Skating Championships
Skated in pairs with James Stuart at the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships; failed to qualify for the Olympic team.
Studied at the University of Paris (Sorbonne)
Spent a semester studying in Paris during college (sophomore year).
Featured in Sports Illustrated 'Faces in the Crowd'
Wang was included in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd (Jan 9, 1968) for her figure skating.
Long tenure at Vogue begins
Began a 17-year tenure at Vogue (worked there ~1971–1987).
Graduated Sarah Lawrence College (BA, art history)
Received a degree in art history from Sarah Lawrence College.
Hired at Vogue magazine
Joined Vogue immediately after college; began editorial career in fashion publishing.
Became one of Vogue's youngest fashion editors
Promoted to fashion editor at Vogue within about a year, becoming one of the magazine's youngest editors.
Joined Ralph Lauren as design director
Took a role at Ralph Lauren designing accessories; served approximately two years (1987–1989).
Left Vogue
Departed Vogue after 17 years when passed over for editor-in-chief; transitioned to fashion label work.
Designed her own wedding dress (commissioned)
Frustrated by bridal offerings, Wang sketched and commissioned her own elaborate wedding gown costing about $10,000.
Married Arthur P. Becker
Civil/social marriage reported June 23, 1989 in New York Times (interfaith ceremony).
Opened first design salon – Vera Wang Bridal House
Opened bridal salon in the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue, New York City; launched her namesake bridal business.
Father became Chairman of Vera Wang Group
Her father, Cheng Ching Wang, served as Chairman of the Vera Wang Group (reported 1990–1998).
Expanded retail with international boutiques
Over subsequent years Wang opened boutiques in London, Tokyo, Sydney and expanded licensing across product categories (china, fragrances, eyewear, homeware).
Designed Nancy Kerrigan's Olympic costume
Designed hand-beaded ensemble for Nancy Kerrigan at the 1992 Winter Olympics; later also for 1994 games.
Chinese American Planning Council Honoree of the Year
Received the Chinese American Planning Council's Honoree of the Year Award (1993).
Mariah Carey wore Vera Wang at wedding (high-profile client)
Mariah Carey wore a Vera Wang design to her 1993 wedding to Tommy Mottola, boosting Wang's celebrity profile.
Designed Nancy Kerrigan's 1994 Olympic costume
Her Olympic costume design for Kerrigan at the Lillehammer Games drew international attention.
Girl Scouts 'Woman of Distinction' Award
Received the Girl Scout Council's Woman of Distinction Award (1994).
First ready-to-wear show at New York Fashion Week
Presented Vera Wang's first ready-to-wear collection at NYFW (closed show with multiple brides).
Began designing for figure skaters beyond Kerrigan
Extended Olympic/competitive skating costume work to athletes like Michelle Kwan, Evan Lysacek and later Nathan Chen (spanning 1990s–2020s).
Adopted two daughters (personal milestone)
Wang and Arthur Becker adopted two daughters (names Cecilia and Josephine); publicized as part of her family life (dates unspecified).
Launched first fragrance
Expanded into fragrance as part of brand diversification (first fragrance launched around 2001).
Published book: 'Vera Wang on Weddings'
Released a wedding guide/book (HarperCollins) giving insight into bridal design and planning.
Launched The Vera Wang China and Crystal Collection
Entered the home-fashion/entertaining market with china and crystal collection (2002).
Designed Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders' uniforms
Commissioned to design the uniforms for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders.
Film appearance: 'First Daughter' (cameo)
Appeared as herself in the feature film First Daughter (2004).
CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year
Awarded the Council of Fashion Designers of America Womenswear Designer of the Year (2005).
Reached deal with Kohl's to produce Simply Vera
Struck an agreement to create a lower-priced diffusion line for Kohl's (deal reported 2006; line released 2007).
André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award (SCAD)
Received the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award from Savannah College of Art and Design.
Father Cheng Ching Wang died
Paid death notice for C.C. Wang published (reported Oct 1, 2006).
Launched the 'Simply Vera' diffusion line at Kohl's
Simply Vera diffusion line (affordable ready-to-wear and accessories) released to Kohl's stores (2007).
Television cameo: 'Ugly Betty' (2007)
Appeared as herself on the TV series Ugly Betty (episode 2.07, 2007).
Television appearance: 'The Celebrity Apprentice' (2008)
Appeared as herself on the reality TV show The Celebrity Apprentice (2008).
Inducted into U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame
Honored for contributions to the sport as a costume designer (2009 induction).
Film appearance: 'The September Issue' (documentary cameo)
Appeared as herself in the 2009 documentary The September Issue.
Launched jewelry collaboration with Zales
Introduced the Vera Wang Love Collection with Zales (engagement/wedding rings and jewelry).
Television appearances: 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' & 'Chelsea Lately'
Multiple TV appearances as herself during 2011 media engagements and shows.
Launched 'White by Vera Wang' with David's Bridal
Introduced an affordable bridal collection for David's Bridal; gown prices ranged $600–$1,400.
Television cameo: 'Gossip Girl' (2012)
Made a cameo appearance as herself in Gossip Girl season 5, episode 11 (2012).
Partnered with Men's Wearhouse for tuxedos
Teamed with Men's Wearhouse to offer two tuxedo styles in retail and rental inventories (spring 2012).
Opened Vera Wang Bride Sydney and Seoul flagship
Expanded internationally with a Sydney boutique and first Asian flagship in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul (June 2012).
Announced separation from Arthur Becker
Public announcement of separation from husband Arthur P. Becker (July 2012).
Received CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded the Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award (2013).
Dressed celebrities and First Lady appearances continue
Notable clients include continued red-carpet and First Lady Michelle Obama appearances (ongoing milestone through 2010s).
Ranked on Forbes 'America's Richest Self-Made Women'
Forbes placed Wang 34th on the list in 2018; company revenues reported rising to $630 million that year.
Received Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award (BCRF)
Honored with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award (2019).
Returned to NYFW – Spring/Summer 2020 runway (30th anniversary)
Presented Spring/Summer 2020 runway show celebrating 30 years; show praised but marred by notable model falls due to footwear issues.
Named in BBC 100 Women
Recognized by the BBC as one of the 100 Women of 2021.
CFDA Board of Directors' Tribute
Received the Board of Directors' Tribute at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards for her impact on bridal fashion.
Awarded the National Medal of Arts (reported)
Reported recognition at the White House with the National Medal of Arts in 2023 (reported in press coverage alongside other honorees).
Sold Vera Wang brand IP to WHP Global
In December 2024 WHP Global announced an agreement to acquire the intellectual property of the Vera Wang fashion brand; Wang will remain Founder & Chief Creative Officer and join WHP as a shareholder.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Vera Wang and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Guy Kawasaki
Born 1954 · Age 71
American marketing specialist, author, technology evangelist, and venture capitalist; early Apple evangelist for the Macintosh; author of multiple books; chief evangelist of Canva; former Wikimedia Foundation trustee.
Angela Merkel
Born 1954 · Age 71
German politician and scientist; Chancellor of Germany 2005–2021, long-serving leader of the CDU and a central figure in EU politics.
Oprah Winfrey
Born 1954 · Age 71
American talk show host, producer, actress, author, philanthropist, and media proprietor; best known for The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986–2011) and for founding Harpo Productions and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
Carly Fiorina
Born 1954 · Age 71
American businesswoman and politician; former CEO and Chair of Hewlett-Packard (1999–2005); first woman to lead a Fortune Top-20 company; later political candidate and author.
Dieter Bohlen
Born 1954 · Age 71
German songwriter, producer, singer and television personality; member of Modern Talking; longtime judge on Deutschland sucht den Superstar and Das Supertalent; author and entrepreneur.
Carlos Ghosn
Born 1954 · Age 71
Brazilian-born, Lebanese-French global automotive executive who led Michelin, Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi; credited with turning around Nissan (Nissan Revival Plan), led the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance; later arrested in Japan (2018) and escaped to Lebanon (2019).