Grace by Vera Wang for Nordstrom

Grace by Vera Wang exclusively at

Media Kit Writing for Fashion Winter Quarter 2012 Candice Alvarado

Table of Contents

Cover Letter……………………………………………………………………………..3 News Release…………………………………………………………………………….4 Fact Sheet………………………………………………………………………………..6 Editorial – Say ‘I Do’…………………………………………………………………...7 Editorial – Be Graceful…………………………………………………………………9 Editorial – Fall in Love……………………………………………………………….11 Photos from the Collection…………………………………………………………..14

April 27, 2012 Laura Cassidy, Editor Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom 1201 Western Avenue, Suite 425 Seattle, WA 98101 Dear Ms. Cassidy: Nordstrom would like to share a special upcoming bridal event with you. Acclaimed bridal couture designer, Vera Wang will make an appearance at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle to celebrate the unveiling of her new vintage-inspired bridal collection, Grace by Vera Wang on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.

Brides-to-be will be invited to the Nordstrom Downtown Seattle Bridal Suite to meet Wang and try on gowns from her Grace collection. Appointments will be available for fitting consultations with Wang and her expert consultants from her boutique in New York City. One lucky bride-tobe will have the chance to win a couture Grace by Vera Wang wedding gown for her special day.

In this media kit you will find the following: • News release introducing Grace • Fact Sheet • Three pieces of editorial • Photos of the collection Please review the enclosed media kit. We believe your readers will be thrilled to learn about this special event. If you have further questions about the unveiling of Grace by Vera Wang at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle please do not hesitate to call me at 206.628.2111 or e-mail at candicealvarado@nordstrom.com Sincerely,

Candice Alvarado Public Relations Executive Nordstrom Inc.

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION Candice Alvarado Public Relations Executive Nordstrom Inc. 206.628.2111 candicealvarado@nordstrom.com

COUTURE BRIDAL DESIGNER VERA WANG UNVEILS HER VINTAGE-INSPIRED COLLECTION AT NORDSTROM DOWNTOWN SEATTLE Vera Wang will make an appearance to celebrate the launch of Grace, her vintage-inspired collection and one lucky bride-to-be will win a Grace by Vera Wang wedding gown.

(SEATTLE, WA: April 20, 2012) – Acclaimed bridal couture designer Vera Wang will be at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle on Wednesday August 15, 2012 from 3:30pm to 6:30pm to celebrate the unveiling of Grace, her vintage-inspired collection of wedding gowns. Each gown in the collection was inspired by a collection of vintage designer gowns Wang has acquired throughout her career.

Brides-to-be are invited to the Nordstrom Downtown Seattle Bridal Suite to meet Wang and try on gowns from her Grace collection. This special event includes a meet and greet and fitting consultations with Wang and her expert consultants from her boutique in New York City.

One lucky bride-to-be will have the chance to win a couture Grace by Vera Wang wedding gown for her special day. RSVPs are requested to attend this exciting event. Please call 206-628-1730 to RSVP and to make an appointment for a bridal consultation.

The full collection consists of 12 vintage-inspired gowns with couture details, beading, in a variety of ivory tones using luxurious lace, silk and taffeta. “The Grace collection embodies the beautiful vintage characteristics that Seattle brides look for, with a touch of New York City luxury” Wang said. Bridal gowns from the Grace collection begin at $12,500 and will be available exclusively at Nordstrom.

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Vera Wang Unveils/page 2 About Vera Wang A native New Yorker who spent her career at the forefront of fashion, Vera Wang began a sweeping makeover of the bridal industry in 1990 with the opening of her flagship salon at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City. Today, the salon continues to showcase collections known for sophisticated drama, feminine detailing and a modern approach to bridal design. In 2000, Vera Wang’s enthusiasm for couture fashion resulted in the launch of her highly acclaimed ready-towear collection. The Council of Fashion Designers of America honored Vera Wang by naming her “Womenswear Designer of the Year” in 2005. Driven by artistic, modern and luxurious design and style, couture-like quality and a high level of customer service, Vera Wang’s collections hold impeccable customer appeal.

For media and press inquires, please call Candice Alvarado at 206.628.2111.

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FACT SHEET FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION Candice Alvarado Public Relations Executive Nordstrom Inc. 206.628.2111 candicealvarado@nordstrom.com Vera Wang Bridal House

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In 1989, Vera Wang sketched her very own design for her wedding gown and commissioned a dressmaker to tailor the elaborate gown at a cost of $10,000.

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Wang opened her own bridal boutique in 1990, the Vera Wang Bridal House in the upscale Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York City.

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Vera Wang gowns are popular among celebrities, she has designed couture bridal gowns for celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Mariah Carey and Kim Kardashian.

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Wang also designs evening gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and sportswear.

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Bridal and evening apparel are sold at over 55 upscale retailers, and two flagship boutiques located in New York City and Los Angeles.

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Vera Wang is the most prominent designer of bridalwear in America and has been honored with a number of awards for her achievements.

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In 2005, the Council of Fashion Designers of America selected Wang as the Womenswear Designer of the Year.

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Today, the Vera Wang Bridal House has 200 employees.

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Say ‘I Do’ To the Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle, where you will find everything from the gown of your dreams to the finishing touches that will make your wedding as unique as your love.

As one approaches the Wedding Suite at Nordstrom for an appointment with their very own expert Wedding Stylist, expect to be treated like a princess and waited on like a queen. Brides-to-be will be enchanted by the well-edited selection of fashion-forward wedding gowns, shoes, jewelry and accessories to give her a complete look for her wedding day. The Wedding Suite features collections from designers such as Adrianna Papell, Aidan Mattox, BCBG, Calvin Klein, Carmen Marc Valvo, Christian Siriano, Jovani, L’Atelier 36, Kate Spade, Maggy London, ML Monique Lhuillier, Nicole Miller, Notte by Marchesa Suzi Chin and Vera Wang.

The Wedding Suite at Nordstrom offers not only a complete look for the bride, but for the entire bridal party from bridesmaid dresses, suits for the groom and groomsmen to lingerie and swimsuits for the honeymoon. It serves as a “one-stop shop” for the entire bridal party — from engagement parties, to the wedding day and honeymoon. “For years, customers have been increasingly turning to our stores and Nordstrom.com for their wedding needs,” said Erik Nordstrom, President of Stores for Nordstrom. “Positive

feedback from customers led us to think about weddings in a whole new way ultimately creating these wedding shops.”

When a bride visits the Wedding Suite, the complimentary Expert Wedding Stylists will assist in finding the gown of her dreams, cufflinks for the groom or looks for the entire wedding party. They’ll help her down to the details including tailoring, lingerie fittings, beauty consultations and more. A unique service that the Wedding Suite provides is made-to-order gowns, brides can try on a sample and order a gown with the modifications they’d like and in 12-18 weeks she will come back for a series of alterations to ensure she has the perfect fit. For brides on the fast track, Nordstrom maintains a selection of off-the-rack gowns ready to purchase and alter as needed.

“Our goal is to create a seamless experience for the bride and her party” says Andrea Wasserman, National Director of Bridal for Nordstrom. “Women dream about their wedding day for most of their lives.

The services we offer at The Wedding Suites at Nordstrom can make her dreams come true.”

Brides-to-be can shop the Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle by appointment only – book yours today by calling 1.888.300.1295.

By Candice Alvarado

Be Graceful Vera Wang unveils the Grace Collection

Acclaimed bridal couture designer Vera Wang celebrated the unveiling of Grace at the Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle on Wednesday August 15, 2012. Grace, her vintage-inspired collection of wedding gowns was surprise to many, as Wang is known for her modern and fashion-forward designs. Each gown in the collection was inspired by a collection of vintage designer gowns Wang has acquired throughout her career.

Hundreds of women lined up around the block of the Nordstrom Flagship hoping to have the chance to meet the queen of bridal couture. To much disappointment, only the first 50 brides-to-be were allowed in for a meet & greet with Wang. Select brides-to-be were given appointments to try on gowns from the Grace Collection and one lucky bride was selected as a winner of a couture Grace by Vera Wang gown.

We spoke with the winner, Vanessa Anderson who’s wedding is set for August 11th of this summer.

Anderson thought she had found the dress of dreams when she purchased it at a local bridal boutique last fall, until she saw the gowns from the Grace Collection. She fell in love with the Alexandria gown, pictured above left. “My wedding is going to be very vintage-chic and in a country setting, but I am so excited to add a little bit of glamour with this amazing gown. I really can’t believe I won a Vera Wang!” said Anderson.

The full Grace collection consists of 12 vintage-inspired gowns with couture details, beading, in a variety of ivory tones using luxurious lace, silk and taffeta. “The Grace collection embodies the beautiful vintage characteristics that Seattle brides look for, with a touch of New York City luxury” Wang said. Bridal

gowns from the Grace collection aren’t for our budget savvy bride as they begin at $12,500 and available exclusively at Nordstrom.

Wang has been carefully working on designing and editing this collection for the last three years. As her passion and focus is on modern, cutting edge gowns she finds inspiration in vintage silhouettes.

By Candice Alvarado

Fall in Love Saying ‘I Do’ this Fall? Be inspired by this Country-Chic Barn Wedding

The bride’s gorgeous Alexandria Grace by Vera Wang gown was the most expensive piece of the wedding at $12,800. However, she made up for that by creating her own floral arrangements with flowers purchased at Costco and added in raspberries for a country-chic touch.

After spending countless hours “plate” hunting at local thrift stores for vintage china for their place settings the bride found these wonderful blue & gold plates for 50 cents a piece. Together, the bride and groom created three signature cocktails just for their wedding day; Berry in Love, Honey, I Do and Mint to Be.

The bride and groom were married at Swans Trail Farms in Snohomish, WA north of Seattle We love this venue, and the rustic features from an old turquoise car, to bails of hay in the barn.

For more information on Swans Trail Farms call 425.334.4124.

For more information on Grace by Vera Wang gowns call 866.899.8434

By Candice Alvarado

Grace Collection 2012 Exclusively At

Grace Collection 2012 Bella

Grace Collection 2012 Mariana

Grace Collection 2012 Daniella

Grace Collection 2012 Maria

Grace Collection 2012 Alexia

Grace Collection 2012 Alexandria

Grace Collection 2012 Gabriella

Grace Collection 2012 Adrianna

Grace Collection 2012 Katherine

Grace Collection 2012 Elizabeth

Grace Collection 2012 Anabelle

Grace Collection 2012 Milania