IN CONVERSATION WITH DOROTHY WANG

interview by JANA LETONJA

You know Dorothy Wang from Netflix’s Bling Empire: New York and E!’s Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, but now she’s inviting viewers into one of the most personal, and glamorous, chapters of her life with Dorothy’s “I Do,” a new five-part YouTube docuseries taking fans behind the scenes of her three-day wedding celebration in Florence, Italy, with husband Brandon Yankowitz. From custom couture and a traditional Chinese tea ceremony to a surprise performance by Saweetie, the series captures both the spectacle and intimate moments surrounding their big day. Produced by Dorothy and Brandon through their new production company, Chez Yankowitz, alongside Emmy-nominated producer Gennifer Gardiner, Dorothy’s “I Do” premieres September 27, with the finale arriving on the couple’s first wedding anniversary, October 11.

full look RYAN WEST 

You’ve shared so much of your life on reality television over the years. What made you decide that your wedding was a chapter you wanted to document and share with the world? 
I am naturally a sharer and I have loved sharing my life and any big transitions. There really isn’t a more momentous occasion than a wedding and it only felt natural for me to share our story. Luckily my husband, who is notoriously private, agreed.

Dorothy’s “I Do” is something you and Brandon produced yourselves through your new company, Chez Yankowitz. How different did it feel being in control behind the camera as well as being the subject in front of it?While starring in many different productions over the last 12 years, I was always very hands on and involved in the production. Perhaps it was always an interest, or it was just innate for me to care about what was going on and try to help make it the best possible. Other castmates would always joke that I was also on the production team. For this project, we were fortunate enough to put together my “dream team” of producers, cameramen, sound engineers, editors, etc., that I had worked with over the years. To be honest, since I have always been very involved, the production process didn’t feel that different during filming. I really only started feeling a difference in post production when we had to review cuts and start putting the series together.

full look RYAN WEST 

You’ve described this as an intimate look at the wedding rather than simply a highlight reel. Was there anything you were initially nervous about letting viewers see?
To be honest, I really don’t like getting into specifics of numbers. To me it has always felt crass and forced. Anytime you’ve heard me give a dollar amount in a previous show, please know that it was probably forced upon me by a producer or network after much push back. I also know that numbers are of interest to people, especially when it comes to weddings and budgets. We tried to do a good job of giving viewers enough details and paint a story without divulging specific numbers.

Your wedding unfolded over three days in Florence. Why was Florence the place where you and Brandon wanted to get married?
We always knew that we wanted to have our wedding somewhere where our guests would be able to have a nice trip and explore. We considered many places in France and Italy before we landed on Florence. When we visited Florence together, I think we both instantly knew it was exactly what we envisioned. It has the warmth and charm of a historic small town, while still having world class shopping, dining, and luxury service. It was important for us that we could also set our guests up with activities during their “off time.” We love that Florence has a great city center, so many museums, and amazing restaurants. Not to mention, the people are truly so friendly and kind. We knew that it was the place for us to have our wedding.

all looks  BOTTEGA53

There are obviously some incredible fashion moments in the series, including your custom Oscar de la Renta wedding gown. What was the process of creating that dress like, and what did it mean to you when you finally put it on?
I really was so fortunate to get to work with so many incredible fashion houses. For my wedding gown, I worked with co-creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, who I am lucky enough to call my friends. We had so much fun together creating a bespoke creation of my dreams. In the beginning, I was a bit overwhelmed with all the different options. I never really considered that I am actually much more comfortable with some restrictions, and that being able to create anything my heart desires was actually a bit overwhelming. But Laura and Fernando were wonderful and patient with me while I went through my process of figuring out what I wanted to do. It really was so special seeing it all come together.

You also went to Paris for couture fittings with Giambattista Valli and had a custom Prabal Gurung look for the welcome dinner. Which bridal look made you feel most like “Dorothy”?
I really loved my custom Prabal Gurung Atelier and couture Giambattista Valli looks so much. When people ask me which look was my favorite or which felt most “me” I really cannot decide. I feel like they are all a part of me and a representation of some side of me.

all looks  BOTTEGA53

Your Chinese heritage was incorporated through a traditional tea ceremony. Why was it important to you to include that tradition, and what did that moment mean to you and your family?
You know what, it was actually my husband who asked if we were going to have a traditional tea ceremony. To be honest, we always toyed around with the idea of having a second wedding or reception in China, so I didn’t think to incorporate the traditional tea ceremony in our Florence wedding initially, but I am so happy we did. While my parents would never mention it first, I know that it meant a lot to them that we both wanted to include the Chinese tradition in the weekend. It was such a memorable moment for everyone involved.

You became known to audiences through Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and later Bling Empire: New York. When you watch yourself in Dorothy’s “I Do,” how different is this Dorothy from the woman viewers first met?
I think I started filming Rich Kids of Beverly Hills when I was 24 or 25, still very much a “kid” running around Beverly Hills. I was 37, and living in New York for 4 years, when we started planning the wedding, so you can imagine the natural growth and hopefully maturity that has occurred. I do feel more confident and secure in myself than I ever have. I think being in New York and away from all the nonsense that can occur in LA and obviously being with my husband, has helped. He really empowers me and supports me. You will see in one tough part of this series, how he empowers me to stand up for myself in a way I wish I was able to in my 20s on Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.

all looks  BOTTEGA53

Reality television has changed enormously since Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. What did you want this series to do differently from a traditional reality show?
To me as a viewer, reality TV has gotten a bit dark and overly contrived. With this project, we just really wanted to return to the “glory days” of reality tv. Natural, fun, light, feel-good TV.

You’re releasing the series directly on YouTube rather than through a traditional network or streamer. Was having that direct relationship with your audience part of the appeal?
Yes, for this project, we really wanted to put out a premium-network quality project that was easily accessible to everyone to enjoy. We also wanted to be able to tell our own story and maintain ownership. We wanted this project to come completely from us and be authentic and genuine. In some ways, this is like our wedding gift to my longtime audience and fans. 

You’ve spent years building a career across television, fashion, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, and now you’re adding producer to the mix. Is Chez Yankowitz the beginning of a bigger move into producing, and what kinds of stories would you like to tell next?
I think like anything, you should create what you want more of in this world. For me, I would love to see more positive, honest, elevated, programming that leaves the viewer better than where they started. We have some projects in development, some where I will star and produce and others that we are just producing.