The “Guru of Glamour,” was the first American to become the top designer of a French fashion house. As head of Paris-based Balmain for 10 years and for his own label, de la Renta produced evening gowns and dresses that seemed ubiquitous on the cover of Vogue magazine and on the red carpet at the Academy Awards, competing with the likes of Valentino for a high-society clientele.
His blend of European luxury clothing with American casual wear was worn by models Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford in the 1990s, by actresses Penelope Cruz, Sarah Jessica Parker and Anne Hathaway, and by royalty. Archduchess Maria of Austria wore a de la Renta gown for her 1996 wedding and Queen Noor of Jordan was photographed in his designs for Vogue in 2003. Undoubtedly, Oscar de la Renta’s best red carpet moments.
De la Renta followed his vision through until the very end, making headlines just last month for designing Amal Clooney’s stunning wedding gown, for her Venice-set nuptials to George Clooney.
A lovely goodbye.
