Designer of Interest- Oscar De La Renta.
With a name like Óscar Arístides Ortiz de la Renta Fiallo, you know there has to be more than one creative bone in this 82 year old’s body! born July 22 1932 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to a Dominican mother with Spanish and Italian heritage, Carmen María Antonia Fiallo and a Puerto Rican father, Óscar Avelino de la Renta, by birth alone, Oscar was already destined to be big- The Fiallos were so embedded in Dominican society that they could count poets, scholars, and businessmen as well as top army brass as a part of their family.One of María Antonia’s brothers, Arístides Fiallo Cabral, was an intellectual – a doctor, lawyer, architect, and recipient of every degree the University of Santo Domingo could confer. Another brother, Fabio Fiallo, was a diplomat and poet. On his father’s side, De la Renta’s great great grandfather José Ortiz de la Renta was the first constitutional mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico to be elected by popular vote… like I said, big!
Oscar de la Renta at his fashion show at Neiman Marcus
At the age of 18, Oscar left the Dominican Republic to study Painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid, Spain. He quickly became interested in the world of fashion design and began sketching for leading Spanish fashion houses, which soon led to an apprenticeship with Spain’s most renowned couturier, Cristóbal Balenciaga. He considers Balenciaga his mentor. Later, de la Renta left Spain to join Antonio del Castillo as a couture assistant at Lanvin in Paris.
Oscar at Lanvins’.
In 1963, de la Renta turned to Diana Vreeland, the editor-in-chief of Vogue for advice, saying that what he really wanted was to “get into ready to wear, because that’s where the money is”. Vreeland replied, “Then go to Arden because you will make your reputation faster. She is not a designer, so she will promote you. At the other place, you will always be eclipsed by the name of Dior.”
De la Renta went on to work for Arden for two years and then in 1965 went to work for Jane Derby and launched his own label.When Derby died in August 1965 Oscar de la Renta took over the label.
In 1967 and 1968, de la Renta won the Coty Award (the US fashion industry ‘Oscars’) and in 1973 was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame. He is also a two-time winner of the American Fashion Critic’s Award and was inducted into the Fame in 1973. He has been honored with multiple awards from the United States, Spain, France and his home Dominican Republic. He has built schools, an orphanage, serves in the board of multiple bodies,charities and organizations. He holds dual citizenship in the Dominican Republic and the United States.
In 1967, de Renta became the third husband of Françoise de Langlade (1921–1983),an editor-in-chief of French Vogue who once worked for the fashion house of Elsa Schiaparelli. They remained married until her death in 1983. In 1989, the designer married Annette Engelhard (born 1939), daughter of Charles and Jane Engelhard. De la Renta has stepchildren from both marriages.
Oscar with Annette.
He also has an adopted son, Moises de la Renta.His son-in-law Alex Bolen now operates as Chief Executive Officer, and step-daughter Eliza Bolen serves as Vice President of Licensing at Oscar de la Renta, LLC.
oscar with family l-r Alex Bolen, Eliza Bolen, Oscar n Moises
Oscar-de-la-Renta and adopted son Moises.
From 1993 to 2002, Oscar de la Renta designed the haute couture collection for the house of Balmain, becoming the first Dominican to design for a French couture house. In 2006, the Oscar de la Renta label diversified into bridal wear.
A few of Oscar de la Renta’s Bridal Collection 2015:
The Oscar de la Renta brand saw international wholesale growth beginning in 2003, under the direction of CEO Alex Bolen, from five to seventy-five locations. De la Renta’s ready-to-wear designs are available in his retail stores, online, and with select wholesale partners worldwide.
In 1977, de la Renta launched his fragrance, OSCAR,followed by an accessories line in 2001 and a housewares line in 2002. The new business venture included 100 home furnishings for Century Furniture featuring dining tables, upholstered chairs, and couches. In 2004, he added a less expensive line of clothing called O Oscar. De la Renta said he wanted to attract new customers whom he could not reach before.
”A woman makes an outfit her own with accessories…” Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta has had the distinct honor of having his designs worn by a diverse group of distinguished women and celebrities, his eponymous fashion house continues to dress leading figures, from film stars to royalty. De la Renta is particularly known for his red carpet gowns and evening wear. His designs are easy on the eyes, lady like, classy and sophisticated. He creates the look for a woman who embraces power yet is confident enough to show her feminine side, oh yes, that’s how I’d describe myself!
Oscar de la Renta designed for first lady Laura Bush
“Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” Costume Institute Gala with Penelope Cruz
Michelle Obama wearing Oscar Moises de-la-Renta for the Presidential Medal-of-Freedom.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2009 – Oscar De La Renta with Jennifer Lopez
Oscar with Sarah Jessica Parker
Actress Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta, Fall-2010 strapless-gown
Hillary Clinton
Kerry Washington in an Oscar de la Renta strapless gown.
De la Renta with Alexander Wang
… every one loves Oscar de la Renta! don’t you? I know I do and not only would it be awesome being photographed in his beautiful pieces or even wearing them, it would be nice to have a chat no?
Anyway, In February 2014, Oscar de la Renta recreated his entire Spring presentation, Designed for A Cure 2014 collection, to raise money for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
His Spring 2015 Collection which was just shown a few days back, could only be described in three words- Spring, Tulips and Lace! The bold but all feminine colors,from pastels in blue and pink, to black and white combos, white and Ivory to bold orange! Carefully crafted embroidery, sequins, scalloping, eyelets and feathery details are all customary to the label as you see again and again the simple but carefully made dresses and separates in delicate fabrics of soft organza, lace , faille and tulle:
Well done and well accomplished! needless to say, I’m a huge fan! always have been and always will be. Oscar does deserve a place in my hall of fame and that is why he is my designer of interest!
Hugs :))
Molekor
Source: Wikipedia.com , http://www.oscardelarenta.com, nymag.com, nytimes.com
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