Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lawrence and Jackie Kennedy wore his dresses. He was a legend, born with the talent that few have possessed. His gowns appeared in royal coronations, at the Academy Awards and at presidential inaugurations. Oscar de la Renta was a historic figure that passed away on Monday, October 20 at 82.
Born in the Dominican Republic, de la Renta was an artist and a celebrity, yet he was well known for his humility. He was the first Hispanic to become the head of a Parisian fashion house, Pierre Balmain, and a recipient of the Parsons Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Oscar de la Renta’s death leaves a gaping hole in the fashion industry,” said Mariela Macklis the West Coast Director of Merchandising for Valentino. “I know that as a Hispanic in the fashion industry I will always be grateful for his role in opening doors to Latin fashion talent.”
The youngest of seven, de la Renta was born in Santo Domingo in 1932. His introduction into the fashion industry came at the age of 21 at one of the world’s most distinguished fashion houses, Balenciaga. After his tenure there, de la Renta joined Dior and grabbed the attention of the fashion press. His supernova-like rise led to roles with Elizabeth Arden and later Pierre Balmain.
The designer became famous for his usage of rich fabrics, the classic hourglass silhouette and the empire waist dress. Mr. de la Renta’s dresses meshed into the lives of some of the most influential women of the past 50 years, from Queen Letizia of Spain to Hillary Clinton.
“He was and forever will be, a fashion icon,” said Taylor Kugler, a New School student who worked with the fast growing fashion brand, Rebecca Minkoff, and studies Journalism+Design and Fashion. “He created beautiful clothing that made you long for a more sophisticated era.”
“When you saw a celeb wearing his clothes, you just knew they were his because of that grace and sophistication they carried with them,” said Kugler.
He died during Dominican Republic Fashion Week and his passing changed the tone of the event completely.
“He is the father of Dominican fashion and his death on the first night of Dominicana moda (fashion week) came as a shock to all in attendance,” said Nicole Coiscou a Dominican student at Lang.
Fashion week in this Caribbean nation quickly became an ode to a legend of the island. “The runway room was renamed in his honor and a campaign has begun to have a street in the DR named after him,” said Coiscou. “His kind soul and magnificent talent will be missed, but he will remain an inspiration to us all.”
In 2006 the renowned fashion designer received the Parsons Lifetime Achievement Award, entwining his legacy with the fashion institute. The award preceded his Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement award and tribute from the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Museum of Fashion.
His role in shaping American fashion cannot be understated. He dressed every major Hollywood celebrity since the 80s and five first ladies. He redefined what luxury gowns meant for the classic elite American woman by tailoring their wardrobe to a lifestyle fit for royalty of a different era.
“For me, my work is a celebration of a woman’s beauty and femininity,” he told Gotham Magazine in August 2014. “At the end of the day, I make dresses and I want to make her happy.”