Vera Wang is one of the few designers who isn’t afraid to venture into new markets, no matter how “out there” they may seem for the top wedding gown designer. For example, over the last few years Vera has expanded her empire to include the Simply Vera gown collection for Kohl’s,  a mattress collaboration with Serta as well as designing floral arrangements for FTD (an online floral design and shipping company), and who can forget her support of White Castle burger scented candles? Okay, we’ll be honest, we’re trying hard to forget the last one but everything else has been a solid step in pushing the Vera Wang brand beyond the wedding day.

We can’t forget that wedding days are what put Wang in that position though, and her latest collaborations come back to the basics.

If walking down the aisle is a mere dream due to the hefty price tag that usually accompany a Vera Wang wedding gown, you may have heard about her more affordable lineup of wedding dresses for David’s Bridal, slated for release sometime in February. Even the pickiest of brides will not be disappointed in the $600 to $1,400 range of gorgeous gowns that don’t fall short of the romantic styles of her full price collection, boasting all the same detailing with draped organza and flowing taffeta.{Fashionista} The exclusive line is not yet available for sale, but you can log on to David’s Bridal.com to get a preview of what is to come.

What could possibly be left for Wang? Well it turns out bling is in her near future. Working with Zales Corporation, the third largest jewelry manufacturer in the world, Vera Wang is “this close” to closing the deal on her new diamond ring collection. Perfect fit to compliment her signature flowing gowns. {Second City Style}

Looks like Vera’s wedding train is full speed ahead and we can’t wait to see what else she comes up with this year.

Next up are Cynthia Vincent and Eugenia Kim, whose footwear and hats, respectively, will be available for purchase during the spring 2010 season.

Shoes are always a girl’s best friend, but this spring is the season of the hat — and we can’t wait to snag some of Kim’s quirky retro-chic headgear for prices that won’t break the bank!

Read the full story {The Budget Fashionista}

Although companies backed by luxury mega-giant LVMH are doing relatively well thanks to the conglomerate’s deep pockets, Versace — though a luxury brand — is still struggling because it is privately-owned and thus can not depend on the stabilizing stock market to stay out of the red.

If all goes as planned, the Versace brand should be out of deep water and generating revenue by 2011.

Read the full story {NY Times}