Tuesday, February 26, 2013

10 Fun Facts About...Vera Wang


Photo credit: Joyce Culver


I've admired Vera Wang, 63, for a long time. I've read about her editorial beginnings at Vogue, her work with Ralph Lauren and the opening of her first bridal shop. I’ve admired her collections, from the confectionery wedding gowns to the stream-lined women's clothing. This spring, I love her dresses in emerald and gold, her use of old-timey prints in rich China blues, and her printed tunics with matching (bicycle?) shorts. What I hadn’t realized, however, was that the over 50 designer is very affable and funny in person. Last Tuesday, I heard her speak at the 92 Street Y in New York City. During a lively conversation with fashion industry expert Fern Mallis, 64, Vera was candid and very entertaining. Click "Read More" for some fun facts about Vera Wang…

DID YOU KNOW?... 
Here are 10 fun facts I just learned about Vera Wang...



Photo credit: Joyce Culver

#1. Vera once wore two different color shoes to the White House. “I wore one black and one dark brown shoe in the same style.” She was with a group of other designers. “Everyone noticed.”

#2. Vera says her Simple Vera Vera Wang Collection for Kohl’s is "in keeping with my attitude of liking things to be easy. You can get in and out of the car in these clothes.”

#3. Vera loves donuts. When asked if there was anything she’d still like to design, she answered: “I could do a mean donut.” On a more serious note, she said she’d like to design athletic clothing.

#4. She’s designed the Philadelphia Eagle’s cheerleaders’ outfits.

#5. She has a room devoted to her collection of over 1,000 T-shirts. The T-shirts are organized by color: black, grey and navy blue.

#6. She loves golf. “But it’s hard to play in the Northeast, where you can only play nine months a year.”

#7. Her future plans include a  “big push in Asia.”

#8. She admires designers who are courageous. Her list of favorites includes…Junya Watanabe Comme Des Garçons, Jill Sanders, Miuccia Prada, Donna Karan, and Rick Owen

#9. Vera won’t be doing ‘Dancing with the Stars’ any time soon. “The time restrictions make it impossible. I’ll have to put off my Ginger Rogers career.”

#10. When asked to share her favorite place in the world, Vera said: “My bed.” It’s comfortable and relaxing. (She did add that she found London very exciting lately.)


NEXT UP...SUZY MENKES
The 92 Street Y is a fabulous cultural center. I highly recommend their lecture and conversation series. For a schedule of upcoming events (Gloria Steinem is slated for March 5th), click here. And, in May, Fern Mallis will be interviewing another fashion icon: Suzy Menkes. For details, click here.