Vera Wang is known for her ability to whip up costumes-wedding or skating-for tabloid stars like Nancy Kerrigan and Marla Maples. Sharon Stone, Holly Hunter and Marisa Tomei call her when they’re having bad wardrobe days. Fashion may be her bread and butter, but I found out in a recent phone chat that some things are just as important. Like what kind of pizza to order. And who she’s going to be in her next life.
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“It’s a horrible thing to admit to most people, but I read the tabloids. I read everything I can lay my hands on. I love the tabloids. It’s not about whether or not it’s a true story or what O.J. really did. It keeps you in touch with real people. Life is stranger than fiction. You couldn’t make up these plots if you were writing for `Dynasty.’ “
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“In my next life, I’m coming back 5-10, so I don’t have to drive a big car. I drive a van, a Toyota Previa, so I can be perceived as tall. I love it because I sit up high on the road. I’d drive a tank if I could. People laugh at me because it’s not too pretty a car. They call it the Big Red Apple. I’m 5-6. I’d like to be tall. I think you get a better view on life. I’d like to try it for a day. It’s not because I’m in fashion. It started when I was playing basketball in high school and I couldn’t guard anyone.”
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“If I were stranded on a desert island, the two books I’d bring would be `Wuthering Heights,’ because it’s a great love story. And that book on Nike, which I think is called `Just Do It.’ The two movies I’d bring would be `Forrest Gump’ and the American version of `La Femme Nikita’ with Bridget Fonda. And `When Harry Met Sally’ and `Sleepless in Seattle.’ I guess I like human stories. Two people? My husband is going to looooooooove this. But I’d take my two kids, Cecilia and Josephine. They’re 1 and 4. And I’d take pizza, definitely. And maybe hot dogs. And potato chips are in there also. I once went on a pizza diet. I actually lost weight.”
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“I lived in Chicago. We’re talking 25 years ago, when I was in college. (Wang is 45.) I love to eat in Chicago. They’ve got great food and great proportions. I love the beach being right there in the city. I have very fond memories of Chicago. I got engaged here. (She later got un-engaged.) So since I liked him, I really liked the city.”
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Vera Wang will be hanging out on Oak Street at Barneys New York Thursday, showing off her fashions from 3 to 6 p.m. She won’t be driving her van. But who knows? She might run out for a pizza.