Vera Wang on starting her company at 40: 'I thought maybe it's just too late for me' Vera Wang didn't design her first dress until she was 40. You've probably heard that before I even mentioned it a few days ago. But since this week's theme is 'still Worried you're starting too late? Vera Wang didn't design her first dress until 40. Samuel L. Jackson got his breakout role at 46. Colonel Sanders built KFC at 65. They didn't miss Vera Wang didn't start her empire in her 20s. At 40, she was rejected for her dream role at Vogue and told she was too old to begin again. Instead of Vera Wang did not design her first dress until she was 40 years old. What's the secret to her success? "Don't be afraid to take time to learn. It's good to work