Oscar de la Renta
Fashion Designer
Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) was a leading fashion designer and the first American to work for a French couture house. Born to a Dominican mother and a Puerto Rican father, de la Renta studied painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. This led him to a design education under couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga, with a subsequent move to Paris to work as couture assistant at Lanvin. On later arrival in New York, it was Diana Vreeland of American Vogue who advised him to work for Elizabeth Arden, rather than Christian Dior. In 1965, de la Renta launched his ready-to-wear line.
In 1995, de la Renta received the Living Legend Award from the American Society of Perfumes, and in 2000, the CFDA Award for Womenswear Designer. He also made notable contributions to the arts, as a board member to the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, as well as charity organisations like New Yorkers for Children, and the Americas Society.
Today the house creates accessories, ready-to-wear and fragrance. In 2014, Oscar de la Renta passed away at his home. In October that year, Peter Copping took over as creative director. In 2017, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the design duo behind label Monse, became co-creative directors at the house.
Oscar de la Renta (1932-2014) was a leading fashion designer and the first American to work for a French couture house. Born to a Dominican mother and a Puerto Rican father, de la Renta studied painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. This led him to a design education under couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga, with a subsequent move to Paris to work as couture assistant at Lanvin. On later arrival in New York, it was Diana Vreeland of American Vogue who advised him to work for Elizabeth Arden, rather than Christian Dior. In 1965, de la Renta launched his ready-to-wear line.
In 1995, de la Renta received the Living Legend Award from the American Society of Perfumes, and in 2000, the CFDA Award for Womenswear Designer. He also made notable contributions to the arts, as a board member to the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, as well as charity organisations like New Yorkers for Children, and the Americas Society.
Today the house creates accessories, ready-to-wear and fragrance. In 2014, Oscar de la Renta passed away at his home. In October that year, Peter Copping took over as creative director. In 2017, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the design duo behind label Monse, became co-creative directors at the house.
