Vera Wang has long wowed fans with her age-defying appearance – but the legendary fashion designer has revealed she is not overly ‘preoccupied’ by her looks.

The 74-year-old, who shocked fans last year when she showed off her toned physique and youthful complexion in a series of pictures from her 73rd birthday bash, admitted her bigger concern is avoiding a physical disability.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com at the DKMS Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, she said: ‘I think what happens sometimes as you age… I’m more frightened about physical disabilities… not all this.

‘I’m not totally preoccupied with how I look. I love my work, and I’m very passionate about my work, my friends, my daughters… I mean, I have a very full life.’

Wang, who previously revealed avoiding the sun and drinking vodka was the secret to her youthful appearance, looked stunning as she flaunted her midriff in a black satin bralette top, a matching maxi skirt and long gloves at Thursday night’s star-studded event.

Legendary fashion designer Vera Wang has admitted she's more 'frightened' about developing a physical disability as opposed to maintaining her youthful appearance

Vera Wang strikes a pose at the DKMS Gala in New York City

Vera Wang showed off her slender physique in a stunning black outfit

Vera flaunted her midriff in a black satin bralette top and a matching maxi skirt for the event
Asked if she has gained more confidence with age, Wang replied: ‘I’ve devoted my whole life to dressing women and styling women. From my years at Vogue magazine, I was an editor for 17 years, to working for Ralph Lauren, designing for my own company, my whole life has been about empowering women.’

Wang resigned from Ralph Lauren at the age of 40 and became an independent bridal wear designer, creating custom made gowns for the likes of Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham, and Kim Kardashian.

Asked if she has any plans to retire ahead of her 75th birthday in June 2024, she said: I’m not sure yet. I’ll be like Rafael Nadal… for the moment, no.’

The mother-of-two, who is reportedly worth an estimated $650 million, previously stunned fans when she posted a series of images of herself flashing her toned midriff and long legs in an orange sports bra and white shorts to model her own accessory designs for David’s Bridal.

And everyone was left begging to know her secret last summer when, on turning 73, she appeared to be getting younger as opposed to older.

‘Dang girl what’s your ageless secret,’ asked one person.

Someone else quipped: ‘Happy Birthday Vera. [You] keeping getting younger and younger each year, no wonder women are like fine wine with years!’

The mother-of-two has long wowed fans with her toned physique and ageless complexion

Vera, pictured here in 1990, resigned from Ralph Lauren at the age of 40 and became an independent bridal wear designer
Earlier this year Vera claimed her ageless beauty is thanks to sipping on vodka cocktails, getting nine hours of sleep each night, working, and staying out of the sun.

‘One of the things I am known to like to do is have a vodka cocktail,’ she told People magazine. ‘There’s no question about that, I do. I have a vodka at some point after five or six o’clock, towards seven.’

And while she noted that no one ever ‘believed her’, another one of her top tips to was working, with the designer insisting it keeps the ‘mind, body and soul’ forever youthful.

Speaking to Elle in a previous interview, Wang noted that working has been her ‘lifeline’ for as long as she could remember.

‘Work was my lifeline that kept me feeling relevant and challenged me over the years,’ she explained.

‘I think the mind is more powerful than one could ever understand. The challenges that work and life present us is what keeps us going.’