Young Vera Wang’s Style Over the Years

At 73 years old, Vera Wang made headlines after attending the 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards on Thursday. The designer donned a flared black tulle skirt with a daring bandeau top. However, the American-born Chinese fashion designer has always been under the spotlight with her looks.

Wang has a long and impressive career thus far. She started crafting bridal wear in 1990 in New York and with a financial push from her father, she opened up her first flagship store at the Carlyle Hotel. Wang eventually expanded her business to include haute couture designs, fragrances, eyewear, jewelry, spirits and homeware.

Today, Vera Wang is a brand beloved by all, worn by impressive folks from Michelle Obama to Halle Berry. Before her illustrious career took off, the Chinese-American made waves with her personal style which incorporates punk-rock aesthetics and often includes neutral tones.

Wang plays with layering and includes big furs, gloves, knitwear and statement leather. On the footwear front, the designer can be found stepping out in pointed-toe pumps, towering platforms and summery sandal heels from brands like Vetements, Balenciaga, Prada and Rick Owens among others.

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Vera Wang, 1995

Vera Wang during Henry Street's Gala Benefit at Landmark on the Park in New York on May 16, 1995.
Vera Wang during Henry Street’s Gala Benefit on May 16, 1995.

While attending Henry Street’s Gala Benefit in New York in 1995, the designer stunned in a silky white halter dress with a matching white fringy shawl. As for footwear, the designer donned white point-toe pumps with a satin finish.

Vera Wang, 2000

Vera Wang during a Valentino Party At The Four Seasons restaurant at Four Seasons Restaurant in New York on
June 14, 2000.
Vera Wang during a Valentino party on June 14, 2000.

While heading to a Valentino party in the 2000s, Wang wore a ruffled floral-inspired top in deep purple and black with a sheer high-waisted maxi skirt featuring a similarly ruffled texture. Overtop her top, the designer donned a black ribbed cardigan. Rounding out the look, Wang wore black leather sandal heels with squared toes and a strappy construction.

Vera Wang, 2001

Designer Vera Wang arrives at the World Premiere of "The Others" at the Paris Theater in New York City. 08/02/2001 Photo: Evan Agostini/ImageDirect
Vera Wang arrives at the World Premiere of “The Others” at the Paris Theater in New York on Aug. 2, 2001.

While attending “The Others” world premiere in New York in 2001, Wang went for a simple and sophisticated look at embodied formalwear during that time. The designer donned a statement-making sheer long-sleeve top with a slinky black maxi skirt accompanied by black kitten heels.

Vera Wang at the Versace Skincare launch cocktail reception at Barneys New York on Nov. 1, 2001.
Vera Wang at the Versace skincare launch on Nov. 1, 2001.

While celebrating the launch of Versace’s skincare line in New York in 2001, Wang wore a warm knitted gray top with a matching lengthy cardigan. On the bottom, the creative wore a black wool mini skirt and black sheer tights. As for footwear, Wang stepped into black pointed-toe pumps with short 1 to 2 inch heels.

Vera Wang, 2003

 Vera Wang attends the amfAR Benefit Honors Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, Feb, 3, 2003.
Vera Wang attends the amfAR Benefit Honors Gala on Feb, 3, 2003.

Having fun with fur, Wang attended amfAR Benefit Honors Gala in New York in 2003 dressed in a high-neck black dress with an intricate cut-out worn underneath a brown fur shawl. As for footwear, Wang stepped into black strappy kitten heels fitted with short stilettos.

Vera Wang during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring Collections 2003 - Ralph Lauren Show - Arrivals at The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
Vera Wang during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring Collections 2003 Ralph Lauren Show at The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.

In attendance at Ralph Lauren’s spring 2003 show during New York Fashion Week, Wang incorporated a colorful two-toned green crochet top into her outfit alongside her usual black elements which included a silk skirt. The star rounded out her look with a set of black strappy sandal heels.

Vera Wang, 2005

Vera Wang during "The Clothes We Love" fashion show hosted by InStyle Magazine at Time Warner Center, Columbus Circle in New York on Sept. 7, 2005.
Vera Wang during “The Clothes We Love” fashion show on Sept. 7, 2005.

The 2000s were in full swing at “The Clothes We Love” fashion show in New York in 2005 and Wang’s wardrobe encapsulated that time period perfectly. The designer wore a sheer black top underneath a cropped black cardigan paired with a black skirt that ballooned outwards. On her feet, Wang styled black and cream sandal heels with buckle closures and thick straps in contrasting hues.

NEW YORK CITY, NY - APRIL 6: Vera Wang attends Gala Opening of the Martha Graham Dance Company, 2005 New York Season, Benefactors' Reception at New York City Center on April 6, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Vera Wang attends Gala Opening of the Martha Graham Dance Company, 2005 New York Season, Benefactors’ Reception at New York City Center on April 6, 2005 in New York.

Wang attended the Gala opening of the Martha Graham Dance Company held in New York in 2005 offering up a more colorful ensemble comprised of a gold flared maxi skirt and a burnt orange satin cami. On her feet, the innovator stepped out in shiny gold peep-toe mules that matched the gold shimmer of her skirt.

Vera Wang, 2010

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 07:  Designer Vera Wang arrives at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter held at Sunset Tower on March 7, 2010 in West Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Vera Wang arrives at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

For the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, the designer mixed sequins, feathers and leather with her look, which she completed with a pair of platform leather sandals and black stockings.

Vera Wang, 2016

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02:  Fashion designer Vera Wang and singer Rita Ora attend the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Vera Wang and singer Rita Ora at the Met Gala 2016.

For the 2016 Met Gala, Wang arrived next to singer Rita Ora. The designer wore a sheer white dress that featured a nude layer underneath.

Vera Wang, 2019

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Designer Vera Wang attends The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards Preview Celebration – Red Carpet Arrivals on March 14, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Related)
Vera Wang attends The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards Preview Celebration on March 14, 2019.

For an event of her brand in New York, Wang gave black and white a modern update with tailor pants, a cutout top and an asymmetric cape.

Vera Wang, 2023

Vera Wang attends the 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on June 15, 2023 in New York.
Vera Wang attends the 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on June 15, 2023 in New York.

While attending the 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards, the designer donned a flared black tulle skirt with a bandeau top.

PHOTOS: Young Vera Wang’s Style Over the Years Photos

About the Author:

Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.

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