NEW YORK — Women's apparel designer Vera Wang, well aware of the pressures a sluggish economy has put on the world of fashion, said she remains optimistic the industry has the allure needed to get through tough times.

"Fashion is an expendable commodity, but it also brings such joy and fantasy and fun," the designer of the New York-based company bearing her name said in an interview with MarketWatch. "For that reason, fashion will prevail ultimately."

Wang may know better. Since opening a bridal salon at the Carlyle Hotel on New York's Madison Avenue in 1990 and weathering past rounds of economic downturns, she has expanded her fashion business from designing gowns for brides to a full ensemble of ready-to-wear clothing, fragrance and home furnishing products.

Wang's name, through exclusive partnerships, also accompanied flowers, a luxury hotel suite at the Halekulani in Waikiki and an apparel collection at mid-priced retailer Kohl's Corp.

One of her next moves: Open more stores.

"There's no question that many people in fashion have felt the repercussions of the recession," the designer said. "I'm fairly thorough about looking at the sell-through. I feel fairly optimistic that by the time they get done, hopefully the economy will be on the rebound."