Fashion Loses Icon…Oscar de la Renta
This week, the fashion world lost a giant. Oscar de la Renta passed away at 82 years old. From the inaugural ball to the red carpet De La Renta’s fashions were the epitome of modern glamour and an important part of the American culture.
Influenced by his childhood in the Dominican Republic, his clothing designs had color, light, beauty, and drama. He designed for powerful, modern women and believed that every one deserved to own clothing with quality that rivaled European design houses.
De la Renta helped shape the trends of the 60’s by dressing then first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. His simple, lady like shapes helped define a new, chic, and definitively American style.
In the 1970’s de la Renta expanded his business into the world of fragrance creating the successful scent, OSCAR, which is still a best seller. He then expanded his empire to include jeans, accessories, home décor, and bridal gowns.
In the 1970’s de la Renta expanded his business into the world of fragrance creating the successful scent, OSCAR, which is still a best seller. He then expanded his empire to include jeans, accessories, home décor, and bridal gowns.
The most incredible thing about de la Renta is that he managed to be timeless. From Nancy Reagan to Taylor Swift, his fashions remained relevant and coveted. Despite 50 years in a business that is known to change every 5 minutes, he still knew how to create a gown that would stop any show.
He also had the gift of being able to dress any body shape or size in elegance. His dresses looked as stunning on Oprah Winfrey as they did on Emma Watson and Kerri Washington. He celebrated the diversity of the feminine form.
While de la Renta probably never touched a head of hair, his clothes inspired season after season of elegant updos and polished blow outs. His feminine looks challenged make-up artists to re-imagine trends for more dramatic silhouettes.
For your inspiration, here are 5 amazing looks from this Fashion Icon:
1. Carrie Bradshaw: An entire episode was built around Carrie receiving a De La Renta from her paramour Aleksandr Petrovsky. While the romance was doomed, this dress will be a wardrobe staple, forever.
2. Emma Watson: In the hands of a lesser designer, a black gown with ¾ length sleeves would seem dowdy and inappropriate. In the hands of a master, however, it is breathtaking.
3. Kerry Washington: The words yellow, print, and classic don’t often go together, but this bright, feminine gown is fashion forward and timeless.
4. Keirnan Shipka: This dress embodies the beauty of simplicity. Youth and sophistication do not have to be mutually exclusive.
5. Beyonce: de la Renta helped her wake up like this…
While trends are important and fun, remember that there is a reason why some styles are classics. Well -crafted looks should be the universal benchmark for fashion, beauty, and hair.
Take a cue from Oscar De La Renta and try a look that is feminine and flattering. Celebrate his flair for dramatic elegance with a bold red lip or a updated version of a French twist. Don a pair of pearls with a pair of jeans. Give your self some glamor, every day.
So, what designers inspire you? Whose wardrobe do you admire? How awful was that Aleksandr Petrovsky storyline on Sex and the City? Let us know!