History: Fashion Designers

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Oscar de la Renta

The master behind The Couture-Like, Ready-To-Wear Collections

Oscar de la Renta was born, July 22nd, 1932 in the capital city Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic. At the young age of 18 years old,  he was given the opportunity to travel to Spain, and study art at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. Oscar de la Renta dedicated himself to his profession by constantly sketching designs for some of the leading design houses. That same dedication landed him an internship with Balenciaga, Spain's top fashion house at the time. 

"Fashion is a Trend; Style is within a person," said Oscar de la Renta.

By 1963 Oscar de la Renta traveled to America where he was under mentorship of the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Magazine, Diana Vreeland. He soon guaranteed himself a spot with Elizabeth Arden, designing Haute Couture gowns for the labels custom-made clothing line. It was his work with Elizabeth Arden that helped Oscar de la Renta gain valuable industry contacts, which helped him launch his own clothing brand in 1965 known as Oscar de la Renta. Two years later he married Francoise de Langlade an editor at French Vogue. They became the industries famous husband-and-wife partnership.

"Things never happen on accident. They happen because: you have a vision, you have a commitment, you have a dream," said Oscar de la Renta.

By 1977 Oscar de la Renta released his companies first fragrance known as Oscar. Since the release of the first fragrance he has expanded the fragrance collection to incorporate both men and women. Oscar de la Renta became more and more well known for his work, and was accredited for it many times. He was a recipient for the Coty award twice, the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the year award twice.

"There is always an emotional element to everything that you make," said Oscar de la Renta. 

Later on in 2002 the inaugural Oscar de la Renta Home line was launched which had been inspired by the homes of designers from all over the world. The line incorporated three specific themes; city, island, and country. Shortly after in 2006 he released a Bridal Collection which was famously worn by Sarah Jessica Parker for her American Vogue photoshoot in the first Sex and the City film.

"It's not about what you wear, but how you live your life," said Oscar de la Renta.

On October 20, 2014 Oscar de la Renta passed away at 82 years old following from a long time battle with cancer. He is survived by his second wife, Annette, his son Moyses de la Renta; his three step children Beatrice Reed, Charlie Reed, and Eliza Bolen; his three sisters who live in the Dominican Republic; and his nine grandchildren. Oscar de la Renta had left a long lasting legacy behind.

Credit:
Kilcooley-O'Halloran, Scarlett. "Oscar De La Renta." Vogue, British Vogue, 23 Aug. 2017,
www.vogue.co.uk/article/oscar-de-la-renta-bigraphy.