Oscar de la Renta, one of the leading forces of American fashion, died today at age 82. De la Renta, who had been diagnosed with cancer in 2006, passed away at his home in Kent, Connecticut.
The NY Times reports:
Though ill with cancer intermittently for a decade, Mr. de la Renta was resilient. During that period, his business grew by 50 percent, to $150 million in sales, as his name became linked to celebrity events like the Oscars. Amy Adams, Sarah Jessica Parker and Penélope Cruz were among the stars who wore his dresses.
Recently his biggest coup was to make the ivory tulle gown that Amal Alamuddin wore to wed George Clooney in Venice.
Determined to stay relevant, Mr. de la Renta achieved fame in two distinct realms: as a couturier to rich socialites — the so-called ladies-who-lunch, his bread and butter — and as a red-carpet king. He also dressed four American first ladies, but it was Hollywood glitz, rather than nice uptown clothes, that defined him for a new age and a new customer. Just as astutely he embraced social media.
De la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic and later studied painting in Madrid, where, ABC News reports, "he developed a love of fashion design and began an apprenticeship with Cristóbal Balenciaga, who became his mentor, and then, landed a job with Lanvin in Paris."
Other famous clients include many First Ladies, including Jackie Kennedy, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and, as of last week, Michelle Obama.
At this past year's Met Ball, Sarah Jessica Parker wore one of de la Renta's gowns—and insisted that he sign his name in red thread on the skirt:
Sarah Jessica Parker at the Met Gala (Getty Images)
De la Renta appeared at last month's Fashion Week, showing his Spring 2015 collection.
