Vera Ellen Wang ( Chinese: 王薇薇; pinyin: Wáng Wēiwei , Mandarin pronunciation: [u̯ɑ̌ŋ u̯éɪ̯u̯éɪ̯]; born June 27, 1949) is an American fashion designer based in New York City. Vera Ellen Wang was born and raised in New York City, and is of Chinese descent.