Oscar de la Renta, an A-list fashion designer died today at his home in Kent, Connecticut, after a long battle with cancer. He was 82. Óscar Arístides de la Renta Fiallo, who was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, trained with Cristobal Balenciaga in Spain and worked with Antonio del Castillo at Lanvin before moving to New York to take a job with Elizabeth Arden. He was a big believer in ready-to-wear back when ready-to-wear was a novel concept and launched his own label in 1965. He has recently seen it grow into a $150 million business. In the last month, de la Renta dressed Amal Alamuddin for her Venice, Italy, nuptials to George Clooney and Michelle Obama for the Fashion Education Workshop she hosted in Washington DC. It was the first time Mrs. Obama wore a dress by the designer.
Last year de la Renta received the Founders Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. De la Renta’s Spring collection, shown in early September.
Last year de la Renta received the Founders Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. De la Renta’s Spring collection, shown in early September.
Earlier this month, the house hired Peter Copping of Nina Ricci as creative director.
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