On Oct. 20, 2014, the fashion industry lost a family member and the world lost a legend in Oscar de la Renta, 82.
De la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic and originally set out to study art. However, he found a love in fashion that led him to become one of the most successful fashion designers of our time. He was known for everything from his amazing haute couture to his classic evening-wear.
He got his start in the sixties when he began designing for the ever-fashionable Jackie Kennedy. From then on, he essentially became to go-to designer for the first ladies, dressing Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama. He began his journey working for the already established fashion houses of Elizabeth Arden, Lanvin, and Balmain, but quickly began his own successful brand. He extended his label by developing a fragrance, moving into bridal wear and more. He was the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America from 1973 to 1976 and 1986 to 1988. He cultivated long-lasting relationships with various celebrities from Sarah Jessica Parker to Oprah to Diane von Furstenberg.
Not only was de la Renta extremely talented, but everyone who knew him says how much of an honor it was to know him. SJP talked about how he was a beautiful singer and DVF talked about how much he loved his garden. He dressed women in a way that made them feel like the absolute, most beautiful version of themselves. Women inspired him and that shines through in every one of his designs. He was a lover of beauty and a lover of life. His loved ones say that he was constantly in love with life and all the beauty that's in the world. This passion for life and love and beauty shows through in everything he’s created.
De la Renta was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. He remained upbeat and as driven as ever by continuing to work and create beautiful things. About a week before he died, he named Peter Copping as his successor and creative director. At the time of his death, he had just completed a dress for Amal Alamuddin’s wedding to George Clooney. De la Renta was inspiring women and men alike up until the very end of his life. He was truly an icon and he will be greatly missed.
"The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die. We always think we are going to live forever. The dying aspect we will never accept. The one thing about having this kind of warning is how you appreciate every single day of life." – Oscar de la Renta
