Designer Dreams

She is to bridal wear what Giorgio Armani is to men's suits: the epitome of style, elegance, and exquisite design. But celebrated though she is for her luxuriously beautiful bridal wear, Vera Wang is a woman who remains very much in touch with her creations.

Vera dreamed of becoming a designer since her childhood, when she experienced Paris couture on a trip to Europe with her mother, who worked as a translator at the United Nations. Vera went on to study at the prestigious Sarah Lawrence college, majoring in art history before travelling to Paris to study design at the Sorbonne. After doing the hard yards as a "rover" at Conde Nast, which involved sweeping the floors and running errands, she worked her way up to become the accessories editor at Vogue magazine at 23 year of age, becoming the youngest fashion editor ever in the history of the magazine.

In 1990 she opened the Vera Wang Bridal Salon at the Carlyle Hotel on New York's Madison Avenue, with designs that reflected her lifelong love of fashion while celebrating "the romance, sensuality and spirit of modern young women". She has since created gowns for Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham, Sharon Stone and Uma Thurman, released ready-to-wear and accessories ranges, and was named Women's Designer of the Year by the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2005. She has also released seven perfumes including the popular ‘Vera Wang Princess' and the bridal scent ‘Vera Wang Sheer Veil', along with a men's cologne.

After releasing the hugely successful book ‘Vera Wang on Weddings' in 2001, Vera began her homewares collection in 2002 with the Vera Wang China andCrystal Collection by Waterford Wedgwood. The stunning dinnerware showcases her trademark sophisticated beauty combined with modern luxury, through its use of intensely modern patterns taken from classic designs. The combination of delicate floral patterns and elegant bands in precious metals adorns the gleaming white china, ornate crystal goblets, flutes and vases. Coupled with her beautiful silver and servingware, the Vera Wang for Waterford Wedgwood collections are the perfect table companions for elegant dinners at home.