60 Bridal Collections On, Vera Wang Designer of Hailey Bieber Wedding Gown, Still Going Strong

Only a handful of designers can rival Vera Wang when it comes to the bridal design niche – yet the industry’s most influential figure is not slowing down anything soon even after 60 Bridal collections on tow.

Recently, the iconic bridal designer celebrated her 30 years in business. To mark the milestone, she debuted her 60^th bridal collection at her Madison Park studio.

Interestingly, Wang said, the achievement wasn’t really a consideration for her since she’s always up against it.

“No, that didn’t even occur to me. [the 60^th bridal collection] I feel the same pressure every time I put a collection out, “she said.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the 31^st, 78^th or the 16^th. I pressure myself to be more creative, more of a thinker, and someone who is trying to envision things in a new way.”

Wang also talked about the impact of the never-ending cycle of fashion on designers which she said is not the same in other creative industries.

“You don’t drop an album on schedule, but in fashion you are asked to be on schedule […] I pretty much stick to the schedules – bridal, ready-to-wear and we do a lot in Hollywood. That’s like an added collection. It may look like a dress, but the process to get the dress is every bit as difficult as doing a collection.”

Further speaking on the demands of her profession, Wang said:

“Whenever I feel worried that I can’t come up with I tell myself I’ve done tis 30, 40, 50 times before. But I can’t say the process is not excruciating. We made over 800 pieces of clothing with all the elements for ready-to-wear,” she said.

With 23 independent stores globally and factories, Wang revealed sales have been strong so far, though from their Asian stores – Japan and China precisely.

When asked why much of the bridal industry seems to be stuck in the past, Wang replied:

“I don’t know. I’m not trapped. I may be trapped in a whole other time that’s interplanetary. When you see trends in ready-to-wear, that definitely probably affects the way my brain functions. I’m not thinking this is wedding per se. Any of these dresses done in another color could be red-carpet and they often are.”

Regardless, she said her quest for something new will continue: “I always think it’s got to go to a new place and be better. It’s got to push the ball somewhere else. That’s one of the reasons I became a designer.

I was an editor and I wanted to make some kind of contribution where I pushed myself. I bring the same level of commitment to bridal that I bring to ready-to-wear. It’s not because it’s my 30^th. It’s because I think it’s worth doing to the best of your ability,” Wang said.

…Meanwhile, in another development Vera Wang as honored by BCRF

in another development, Vera Wang was recently honored by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for her advocacy work in breast cancer research.

In her acceptance speech, Wang said, “Women have to support other women, and health is a women’s issue. We’re all in an industry that dresses women, that strives to make women more beautiful, healthier, well – and to be able to fight the most dreaded of all diseases for women. I can’t stress the importance enough,” she said.