Vera Wang has been honured with a lifetime acheivement award from the Council of Fashion Designers. Wang received the award at Monday's ceremony. None other than Ralph Lauren, her mentor and former employer, was on hand to present the award.
"To all the women and men I have dressed, thank you for your turst," Wang said during her acceptance speech.
Prior to the CFDAs, Lauren wrote to The Associated Press, expressing his admiration for Wang and the work she had done over the years.
"[When] Vera Wang came to work for me over 23 years ago I saw a unique young woman filled with a rare passion for fashion. In all the years since, I have watched her drive, dedication and talent shape an entire world inspired by her own life — first as a bride, then as a wife and mother, but always as a strong and beautiful woman," he wrote.
Wang wasn't always set on being a fashion designer. In her early years, she attended Sarah Lawrence College were she studied art history and competed as a figure skater. She soon realized that fashion was the way to go and went on to become an editor at Vogue and worked for Ralph Lauren. Nowadays, the designer is known for her couture wedding gowns and is always dressing celebrities for the red carpet. She also has more affordable lines at Kohl's and David's Bridal.
Wang attributes her success to four characteristics — "responsibility, dedication, love and passion."
"I was always taught that anyone should be able to pursue their dream and that the biggest crime is not to try. That made me motivated, and I didn't want to wonder what could have happened."
