Vera Wang

At 40, most people are thinking about settling down.

Not Vera Wang.

After nearly two decades at Vogue (where she became the youngest editor ever) and a stint as design director at Ralph Lauren, Vera found herself at a crossroads.

While planning her wedding, she searched high and low for the perfect dress but came up empty-handed.

She had spotted an opportunity.

Her father encouraged her to take the plunge, offering seed money to start her own bridal salon.

With no formal design training and plenty of doubts, Vera opened her boutique in the Carlyle Hotel in 1990.

Her first collection was a reflection of her vision: modern, elegant, and transformative.

Brides fell in love, and a new standard for wedding dresses was born.

But Vera expanded her empire far beyond bridal wear.

Into evening gowns, fragrances, jewelry, home goods, and even affordable fashion lines like Simply Vera for Kohl’s.

Celebrities from Michelle Obama to Ariana Grande embraced her creations on red carpets, and Olympians wore her designs on the ice.

She even made a mark in mass-market retail, proving that high fashion could meet everyday life.

At 71, Vera still isn’t slowing down.

She expanded her brand globally and launched a vodka line during the pandemic.