De la Renta, Oscar (1932-2014), was a Dominican-born American fashion designer. During a career that spanned more than 50 years, de la Renta became one of the most influential designers of his time. His classic style achieved a creative balance of glamour that enhanced, rather than overwhelmed, the wearer. De la Renta’s elegant and sophisticated designs have dressed women from Hollywood to the White House, including the wives of five United States presidents, from Jacqueline Kennedy to Michelle Obama .
De la Renta was born Óscar Arístides Ortiz de la Renta Fiallo on July 22, 1932, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic . In 1951, after high school, he traveled to Madrid , Spain , to study art. As a student, he sold fashion illustrations to earn extra money. He soon turned his interest from art to clothing design. De la Renta’s big break came in 1956. He designed a debutante ball gown for the daughter of then-U.S. ambassador to Spain John Cabot Lodge, and a photograph of Beatrice Cabot Lodge wearing the gown was featured in Life magazine.
By 1957, de la Renta had become an illustrator for the respected Spanish fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga in Madrid. In 1961, de la Renta moved to Paris , France. He spent two years working for designer Antonio del Castillo at the House of Lanvin. De la Renta’s early experience and training in haute couture (high fashion) design and techniques at Lanvin influenced his future career both as a designer and businessman.
In 1963, de la Renta moved to New York City , New York, where he joined the couture design house of Elizabeth Arden , founder of the cosmetics brand. By 1965, de la Renta had established a partnership with the American fashion designer Jane Derby, designing under the label “Oscar de la Renta for Jane Derby.” After Derby’s death that year, he continued designing for the label until 1967, when he purchased the company, known as Jane Derby Inc., and renamed it Oscar de la Renta. In 1980, De la Renta designed new uniforms for the Boy Scouts of America. His iconic design remained in use for nearly 30 years.
In 1992, de la Renta became the first American designer to head a French fashion house, Balmain, in Paris. During his 10 years at Balmain, de la Renta also maintained his own brands. When he returned to New York City for a second time, de la Renta opened his first flagship store on Madison Avenue in 2004.
During his career, de la Renta developed multiple lines of women’s fashions, as well as children’s and men’s clothing, accessories, fragrance, and home collections. He won numerous awards, including three Coty American Fashion Critics’ Awards; the prestigious Founders Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America; the French Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honor), France’s highest civilian award; and the Spanish Gold Medal of Bellas Artes. Coty awards were established by the French cosmetics and perfume company Coty Inc. and presented from 1942 to 1984. De la Renta died on Oct. 20, 2014.
