Vera Wang is an excellent choice for a middle school Lifeline biography series. Wang, a successful, well respected fashion designer and brand icon, who through her hard work, enthusiasm and high creative energy, serves as a down to earth role model for young girls interested in fashion and design.

Lifeline picks up a continuing thread in Wang's raise to the status of fashion icon: her early deferential attitudes towards her parents. Her father's guidance and enormous financial support in the beginning of her bridal design business allowed her to make fortuitous decisions which set her apart in the highly competitive fashion design industry. This respect for family is an encouraging note to middle schoolers who want to spread their own wings so early in life.

Lifeline also sets a realistic tone to Wang's biography by letting Wang voice her own insecurities in regard to the success of her business. It is these self-doubts that make Wang push harder and longer to stay current, come up with the right dress designs, which have revolutionized women's evening wear in the 1990's, and make business moves that have made her brand an multimillion dollar business.. But the overall feeling the young reader will come away with is the Vera Wang has a true love and passion for design and beautiful fabrics and clothes. The numerous photos and news clippings of her design awards, evening wear, bridal gowns and haute couture, worn on the red carpet, are a testament to her talent.

The biography also includes a detailed timeline, an in-depth glossary on fashion related terms, and further readings and websites on Wang and the fashion industry. ( )