Is Pnina Tornai the Next Vera Wang?

The name Vera Wang is an icon within itself. For many years, every bride had to have a Vera Wang dress, whether it was for weddings or evening wear. Vera Wang has dressed many celebrities and political women, such as Mariah Carey, Kim and Kloe Kardashian, Ivanka Trump, Chelsea Clinton, and even Michelle Obama. Vera Wang has changed the way women from all backgrounds can wear her one of a kind dresses. Forming a partnership with Kohls, Vera added a line called Simply Vera for more affordable jewelry, clothing, and shoes. She even added a line for bridal dresses at David’s Bridal for brides on a tight budget. Her dresses have been featured on TV shows and movies, such as Gossip Girl, Bride Wars, and Ugly Betty. Vera Wang is the real deal, but to her credit she has been in the fashion industry for over 40 years. Is it possible the love for Vera Wang dresses has simmered and a new love is in bloom? This new love has a name, Pnina Tornai.

Pnina Tornai was born in 1962 in Israel. Her name was originally Perla, but later transformed to Pnina, according to the Hebrew language. Pnina dreamed of becoming an actress, so she moved to Paris to study the art. After years of learning and trying to break in the industry, her dream was put on hold. A child and three husbands later, Pnina moved back to Israel to try her hands at something new. There she started a small boutique of her own designs. She had little clientele, but she never gave up. In 1992, Pnina was asked by a woman to create a wedding dress inspired by an evening gown she once saw in a store window. Pnina dominated this challenge, and her dress was featured in an Israel Newspaper. She soon had requests for more wedding dresses, and her store was transformed into a bridal boutique.

Pnina’s dresses are well featured on TLC’s show Say Yes to the Dress, a reality show filmed in the famous Kleinfeld store in New York City. But, what viewers don’t know is that Pnina’s dresses were rejected by Kleinfeld due to them incorporating lace. Pnina never gave up though. She redesigned her dresses to Kleinfeld’s likings, and the company couldn’t refuse. Before Say Yes to the Dress became a show, Pnina Tornai’s dresses debuted in Kleinfeld in 2005. The show later aired in 2007, and her name has since popped up in almost every episode. Pnina’s dresses have become the must have for every budgeted and non-budgeted bride.

Pnina has dressed Eva Bryan, NASCAR driver Kurt Busch’s wife, Kim Zoliack, Real Housewives Reality Star, Ginger Zee, Good Morning America Meteorologist, Danielle Deleasa, Kevin Jonas’s wife, and many more. When fitting celebrities and socialites, you know you’ve made a name for yourself.

Pnina’s success could be from her perseverance, or out ever changing cultural society. No matter the reasons or Pnina’s place of birth, she conquered the American markets due to that perseverance. She never backed away from the challenge. She may be Israeli, but she sure shows what the heart of an American looks like. Like Vera, Pnina’s dresses can now be seen on Tv shows and movies such as, MTV’S TRL, Sex and the City, Arthur, and of course Say Yes to the Dress.

As the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new, Vera Wang will forever be remembered for her iconic couture dresses and diverse markets. But, as time goes by, trends fade and designers retire. Pnina is the new kid on the block and rightfully so. Vera Wang has made her mark on the industry, and Pnina Tornai will certainly leave hers. She too will await her predecessor who will have large shoes to fill.