Go Forward!

One for the shifters and changers; Vera could have really gone in a number of directions. After being featured in Sports Illustrated's January 1968, Wang failed to land a spot on the Olympic figure skating team and went on to work for Vogue magazine.

There, Wang became the senior fashion editor within a year, holding that position for 15 years until 1987 when it was time for the magazine to appoint a new editor-in-chief. She was passed up for the job, which eventually went to Anna Wintour.

At that point, Wang left journalism and joined Ralph Lauren, designing accessories for the brand. It was the start of a career in fashion that had her designing for her own brand at the age of 40. Now at the age of 64, she is the celebrity designer of note for weddings and award ceremonies, the likes of which the all-too-typical red carpet question was made: Who are you wearing?

Vera Wang. Reference:

Joseph Milford, Never Give Up: These 5 Success Stories From Late Bloomers Prove That Perseverance Pays Off, Elite Daily