Oscar de La Renta

(1932-2014)

Oscar de la Renta was born on July 22, 1932 in the Dominican Republic capital city Santo Domingo. He has often cited the tropical vegetation and the vibrant colour palettes of the island as inspiration for his striking designs.

At the tender age of 18, he travelled to Spain to study art at The Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. After sketching for leading design houses, the young artist landed a covetable apprenticeship with Cristóbal Balenciaga, Spain's most revered couturier at the time.

In 1960 de la Renta travelled to Paris to become couture assistant at Lanvin. Surrounded by the decadent Parisian fashion scene, he immersed himself in the extravagant world of haute couture, constantly sketching and gaining invaluable experience that would serve him well throughout his career.

In 1963 he travelled to America and, under the mentorship of then editor-in-chief of Vogue Diana Vreeland, he secured a role at Elizabeth Arden designing haute-couture gowns for the label's custom-made clothing line.

It was during his tenure at Elizabeth Arden that the young designer gained valuable contacts and, in 1965, Oscar de la Renta the label was launched to widespread acclaim.

In 1967 he married Françoise de Langlade, an editor at French Vogue. The union made them one of the fashion industry's most famous husband-and-wife partnerships.

From 1973 to 1976, and 1986 to 1988 he was president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. During this time he launched the prestigious CFDA Awards which replaced the Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards. He has himself been the recipient of both Coty and CFDA awards, receiving the Coty award in 1967 and 1968, a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990, and the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2000, and again in 2007 when he tied with Proenza Schouler.

1977 saw the launch of Oscar, the label's first fragrance. The fragrance collection has since expanded to incorporate scents for both men and women and is...