Vera Wang bridals, in black & white

A model walks the runway during the Vera Wang 2014 Bridal Spring/Summer collection show on April 19, 2013 in New York City.

From her black-and-white fantasies, to her red creations of the past, to her more traditional froths of white, Vera Wang has become synonymous with the best in bridal wear. The level of detail that goes into her hand-made dresses - each like a museum piece - expresses the designer's (and bride's) personality ... and with a price tag that can run into the thousands of dollars, Vera Wang dresses have also become celebrity fashion statements.

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan

Left: Vera Wang walks the runway at her Bridal Show on April 17, 2008 in New York City.

After landing a job at Vogue, where she quickly rose to senior fashion editor, Wang went on to become fashion director at Ralph Lauren.

It was the difficulty of finding a wedding dress, when Vera Wang was getting married in 1989 (she opted to design her own), that spurred her father to make Wang an offer: "He said, 'I will back you if you open a wedding business,' " Wang told CBS News' Rita Braver. "He said, 'I think it's time that maybe you have a little bit more control over your life.' "

In 1990 Vera Wang opened her boutique for bridal fashions on Madison Avenue in New York City.

The Fiona dress, from Vera Wang's classics, reveals the silhouette, exposing the upper back and shoulders, and features an asymmetrically-draped mermaid sheath

It wasn't just Vera Wang's bridal business that took off; she also designs a high-end couture collection. Her elegant evening clothes have been worn by both Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.

And she has entered the lower-priced market, too, with fashions at Kohl's, and a budget brand of wedding gowns at David's Bridal Boutique.

"Were you afraid, by putting Vera Wang out there on a budget level, that that might dilute your higher-level brand?" asked CBS News' Rita Braver.

"I felt it was very democratic," Wang explained. "A brand doesn't only have to be at a price that's very unattainable and inaccessible for most women."

Left: The Fawn dress from Vera Wang's classics, a delicate blend of multiple layers of organza and Chantilly lace applique.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton walks Chelsea Clinton down the aisle during her wedding to Marc Mezvinsky, at the Astor Courts Estate on July 31, 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York. The bride wore a strapless ivory gown with a swirling organza skirt by Vera Wang.

Jocelyn, from Vera Wang's Fall 2012 collection, is a strapless, collapsed ballgown with peplum and sheer skirt, distressed organza, tulle and shadow lace tiers and washed flange detailing.

"Black is wonderful and totally sexy as an accent color," said Wang, "but can really be breathtaking when you pull out all the stops. ... This is my rhapsody in black: it's chaotic, it's disordered, and at the same time it's just magnificently light and ethereal."

Katherine, from Vera Wang's Spring 2013 collection, features gatherings of bustled crinoline with layers and layers of tulle and organza.

Leah, from Vera Wang's Fall 2013 collection.

Josephine, from Vera Wang's Fall 2012 collection, is a V-neck halter ballgown with chantilly lace bodice and exposed back, distressed organza and shadow lace flowers at the neck, and a multi-layered crinkle tulle skirt.

"There's no stiffness or structure in the skirt at all," Wang writes. "It's a piece of Degas ballerina here, and with all of the different tones and shadows in the tulle it's so natural-looking and organic that it's almost a watercolor."

A model walks the runway during the Vera Wang 2014 Bridal Spring/Summer collection show on April 19, 2013 in New York City.

Models walk the runway during the Vera Wang 2014 Bridal Spring/Summer collection show on April 19, 2013 in New York City.

A model walks the runway during the Vera Wang 2014 Bridal Spring/Summer collection show on April 19, 2013 in New York City.

The Lillian gown from Vera Wang's Fall 2013 collection.

Vera Wang's Lara gown, from her Fall 2013 collection.

The Laura gown, from Vera Wang's Fall 2013 collection.

A model walks the runway at the 2013 Bridal Collection Vera Wang show on April 15, 2012 in New York City.

Kylie, from Vera Wang's Spring 2013 collection, is an assymetrical gown with a skirt starting much higher than on other mermaid gowns, flowing fluidly from the bodice.

Vera Wang's Kaitlin, a Basque-waisted gown from her Spring 2013 collection.

The crimson Kathleen gown, from Vera Wang's Spring 2013 collection.

Kendall, a luxe gown from Vera Wang's Spring 2013 collection, features a strapless, drop-waist corset covered with finely micro-pleated French tulle.

The Katarina dress, from Vera Wang's Spring 2013 collection, is a cascade of ribbons unfurling with explosions of lace.

The whimsical Kassia dress, from Vera Wang's Spring 2013 collection, is built up from many individual elements "that seem almost uncontrolled and free-wheeling," writes Wang. "There

A model walks the runway during the Vera Wang 2013 Bridal Collection show on October 12, 2012 in New York City.

A model walks the runway at the Vera Wang Bridal Show on April 17, 2008 in New York City.

Vera Wang's strapless Amelia dress.

Vera Wang's Flora gown is a textured dress of tulle and tissue organza, in nude and blush colors, layered with ivory hand-painted flowers. Sea bead embroidery on the scoop neck bodice is woven around cotton voile, hand-punched flowers.

Vera Wang's Erica dress features a strapless, silk gazaar bodice with layered organza.

Edie, from Vera Wang's classics, is a fun, short dress for a cocktail reception or more informal ceremony - ideal, says Wang, for women who are youthful and possess incredible legs.

The buoyant Eliza dress, from Vera Wang's classics, is a traditional ball gown skirt made of organza inserts, with a Chantilly & Alencon lace appliqued bodice.

The Lisbeth dress, from Vera Wang's Fall 2013 collection, is a strapless ball gown with open back and classic corset detailing, featuring an applique of tulip and rose lace.

Vera Wang's Janice, from her Fall 2012 collection: A V-neck mermaid gown with washed multi-layered flanges, organza scallops and a pleated ruffled tulle skirt.

The Juliet dress, from Vera Wang's Fall 2012 collection, is a "mermaid gown" in delicate, light fabrics, including tulle, chiffon and Chantilly lace.

A model walks the runway during the Vera Wang 2013 Bridal Collection show on October 12, 2012 in New York City.

For more info:
verawang.com
Vera Wang on "Voguepedia"
Vera Wang - Council of Fashion Designers of America
"Vera Wang on Weddings" by Vera Wang (William Morrow)

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan

CBS News 24/7