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Designer of the Day: Oscar de la Renta

Designer of the Day: Oscar de la Renta
2010/08/03 Maya H.

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

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