My Tribute to Oscar De La Renta.. The King of Fashion By Paul Vetrano / Critic Oscar has passed away... but his life and legacy in fashion will live on forever. He was truly a Fashion Icon and his designs have been worn by more famous women then any designer in history. Lets take a look at the life of Oscar De La Renta. Óscar Arístides de la Renta Fiallo (22 July 1932 – 20 October 2014) was a Dominican-American fashion designer. Born in Santo Domingo, he was trained by Cristóbal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo; he became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers to dress Jacqueline Kennedy. An award-winning designer, he worked for Lanvin and Balmain; his eponymous fashion house continues to dress leading figures, from film stars to royalty, into the 2010s. De la Renta was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to a Dominican mother of Spanish descent (particularly Canarian), Carmen María Antonia Fiallo, and a Puerto Rican father, Óscar Avelino de la Renta. The Fiallos were so embedded in Dominican society that they could count poets, scholars, and businessmen as well as top army brass among their members. A maternal uncle, Arístides Fiallo Cabral, was a doctor, lawyer, and architect, who received every degree the University of Santo Domingo could confer. Another, Fabio Fiallo, was a diplomat and poet. On his fathers side, de la Rentas great-great grandfather José Ortiz de la Renta was the first mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico elected by popular vote.He served as mayor from 1812-14, from 1815-16, from 1820-21, from 1823-26, from 1837-38, from 1842-43, from 1843-44, and in 1846. He had the distinction of having held the office of mayor of Ponce the most-eight times. At the age of 18, he went to study painting in Spain at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. 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 Spains most renowned couturier, Cristóbal Balenciaga. He considers Cristóbal Balenciaga his mentor.Later, de la Renta left Spain to join Antonio del Castillo as a couture assistant at Lanvin in Paris. 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 thats 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 proceeded to work for Arden for two years before he in 1965 went to work for Jane Derby and launched his own label.When Derby died in August 1965, de la Renta took over the label. From 1993 to 2002, 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. De la Rentas designs have been worn by a diverse group of distinguished women and celebrities. De la Rentas brand saw international wholesale growth beginning in 2003, under the direction of CEO Alex Bolen, from five to seventy five locations. De la Rentas ready-to-wear designs are available in his retail stores, online, and with select wholesale partners worldwide. Other enterprises In 1977, de la Renta launched his fragrance, OSCAR,followed by an accessories line in 2001 and a homewares 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. In 2006, de la Renta designed Tortuga Bay, a boutique hotel at PUNTACANA Resort and Club. Tortuga Bay is a Leading Small Hotel of the World. and a member of Virtuoso. Awards, honors, and philanthropic endeavors...yes he has a few.. Design awards 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. From 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988, he served as President of the CFDA. He is also a two-time winner of the American Fashion Critics Award and was inducted into the Fame in 1973. Truly the Best of the Best....
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:48:06 +0000
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