NEW YORK — Vera Wang rang up $200,000 in retail sales at a two-day trunk show at Bergdorf Goodman last week. Instead of wedding gowns, shoppers were scooping up sweaters, brocade pieces, embroidered skirts and dresses from the designer’s spring collection.
On the sales floor Nov. 11, Wang was delighted to be selling nonbridal attire. “I’ve never had women buying for everyday life and that was a huge frustration for me,” she said. Her aim was to design items that can “move around” to be worn for a variety of occasions, beyond formal ones. “It’s like having a $1,000 salad plate. What’s the point if you’re afraid to use it because it might break?”
Michelle Kwan dropped by to support her friend and favorite designer, but it was Wang’s moment in the spotlight. “This has been a long time coming for me. I’ve been in the business for 35 years,” she said. “This is sort of a delayed knee-jerk reaction.”
Regardless of the timing, women seem to be responding. Susan Sokol, president of Vera Wang Apparel, said Bergdorf’s sold 25 percent of 170 resort pieces within a three-day period. “That’s what I think is so compelling,” said Sokol.
In other news, Wang is turning over the entire first floor of its Madison Avenue bridal salon to showcase its gifts and fine jewelry during the month of December. With the store’s sales running 25 percent ahead of last year, this seemed to be a good time to break out all the picture frames, champagne flutes, candlesticks and vases, Sokol said.