Designer of the Day: Oscar de la Renta

We see his name all over the place but, know very little beyond the wonderfully strong, feminine clothing he creates.  Here are a few tidbits about this stellar designer:

• Oscar de la Renta is from the Dominican Republic
• He studied painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid
• Oscar did one of his first apprenticeships with famed Spanish couturier, Cristobal Balenciaga
• As if he was set for greatness, he headed to Paris as a couture assistant at the house of Lanvin
• In 1963, he came to New York to design the couture collection for Elizabeth Arden (he’s all in the know…!)
• In 1965, Oscar de la Renta began his signature ready-to-wear label
• From 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988, Oscar de la Renta served as President of the CFDA
• With his spring 1993 collection for the house of Pierre Balmain, Oscar de la Renta became the first American to design for a French couture house and has been awarded the French Legion dÕHonneur as a Commandeur
• The Oscar de la Renta label is comprised of the Signature ready-to-wear collection, a high end sportswear collection (OSCAR by Oscar de la Renta), cosmetic cases, eyewear, furs, jewelry, lingerie, scarves, sleepwear, swimwear and Pink Label
• He gives back — Oscar de la Renta has also helped build a much needed school and day-care center in the Dominican Republic for 1,200 children
• Trademarks: feminine, powerful, natural silhouettes and lines, uptown sophistication