Since I was 13 I have wanted to walk down the isle in a Vera Wang, and I am determined to do so someday . . . even if I have to buy the Vogue pattern and sew my own. I WILL wear Vera Wang on my big day. Any woman who dreams of looking elegant, sexy, classic, and who wishes to flatter her figure seeks Wang on her wedding day (or prom day,or going to the Oscars day, or out on the town day . . . hee hee.) I tell ya, if you can’t love her, then hate her . . . hate her for being so amazing.

Vera von Lehndorff. She is the daughter of Prussian count, Count von Lehndorff-Steinhort who was involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler. His involvement in this plot lead the family through much turmoil and heartache. Vera’s father was hung in 1944 and in the same year her mother was arrested and jailed until after WW2. Vera and her sisters spent the rest of WW2 in Gestapo camps, finally being reunited with their mother after the war. Vera was only 3 when her and her sisters went to the Gestapo camp.

Eventually in the 50’s Vera moved on to study textile design in Florence where she was first asked to model, and finally in the 1960’s made her way to New York City where she begin modeling under the name Veruschka.

She later became involved with Italian photographer Franco Rubartelli, whom she traveled the world with. Camera, equipment, photographic props and clothes always on hand. They brought themselves and their equipment to the desert, the snow, even flew to the Island Eleuthera in the Bahamas on Christmas Day for a moonlight shot on the beach.

To Vera, modeling wasn’t about clothes or even fashion, but about transforming herself. “I was always being different types of women. I copied Ursula Andress, Brigitte Bardot, Greta Garbo. Then I got bored so I painted myself as an animal.” She once hand painted herself as a stone as well, in hopes to blend in with her surroundings.

A vision of Vera would be seen as such, her pale, heavily lined face, her taut body in what resembles a black body stocking, with Vivienne Westwood pirate boots. On her shoulders drapes a floor-length orange cardigan, around her neck a raggedy orange tie-dyed scarf. Ali-G orange lensed sunglasses, and her staggly tawny hair hanging from under an orange bandanna decorated with spangles.

Vera. Fashion Icon. One of the first ‘Supers’. Appeal profusion. Headstrong. Refusing to conform to fashion trends. A bold, feminine image prevails her. Her life, hardship and success are evident in her eyes and the way she carries herself. She is Veraschka, woman of the 60’s, free spirit, image of strength and delicacy. Idol to many, legend to many more.

Recently joined Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham debued thier duo of ready-to-wear on the February 2004 New York Runway. Their Jackie O flashback in satin n’ tweed pleases the eye and arouses a sophisticated elegence. Their fall show (I may be 6 months behind here reporting this news either that or I am about 4 months early, but despite this the fall apparel is appropriate for any downtown day worker. (I’m talkin high class . . . wine drinking, calamari eatting, tummy tucking, botox seeking, high maintenance, tea cup poodle packin’, top notch country club class. However, even the poodle packin’ gal has her desire for more loose fabrics, layers, and punky colors. The fall line flashed many colors and flashy tops under fur and tweed jackets, a taste of sailor suits, tuxedo tail jackets, pleated skirts, pin-tuck trousers and bow-tied dresses. Although Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton could probably call this label ‘home’ it still exudes a fresh style and the general appeal of those seeking a more expensive Urban Outfitters style. Mmmmm Can I say . . . Paris Hilton . . . in 20 years.

Want a little taste? check out United Bamboo