“Love. Be curious. And always try to do the best you can”- Oscar de la Renta.

Text: Polina Fokina

The Mexican painter Diego Rivera was absolutely convinced that controversy over the purpose of art was meaningless. And when questions arose about why people take up paints and begin to create, he answered: &ldquo;An artist draws because he cannot but draw. And if he can, he is no longer an artist. Being a free artist is a vocation, because whatever you undertake, in the end you will get art.

A free artist living with an idea and a dream to fill this world with elegance and femininity - Oscar de la Renta became exactly what, by vocation, can be called a great couturier and a true legend of the fashion world.

I&#39;m restless. I never stop doing something. The creative process never stops.

oscar-de-la-renta.jpg

Brand history

With the move to Spain, 18-year-old Oscar de la Renta literally began a new life. He became interested in studying painting - while attending the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando - the young designer was inspired. After a while, Oscar was able to find what was close to him - classical painting faded into the background, giving way to the fashion industry. With this realization, Oscar de la Renta began a new stage in his life.

Once, out of friendship, Oscar agreed to design a dress for his girlfriend - and, by the will of fate, the girl had a huge impact on the formation of Oscar as a designer, because she turned out to be not a random girl, but the daughter of an American ambassador. The dress attracted tremendous attention - after all, the girl starred for the publication &quot;Life&quot; - and Oscar became the most talked about figure.

The publication in the magazine and the meeting with such an important person became fateful - after the publication, Oscar received an invitation from the fashion house Balenciaga. Having got acquainted with the works of the young designer, Christian Dior and Lanvin became interested in him. Oscar agreed to be an assistant to the Spanish designer - Antonio del Castillo. Leaving for social events, de la Renta met Fran&ccedil;oise de Langlade, the editor-in-chief of French Vogue and his future wife.

unnamed.jpg

Reflecting on how to build his future couturier career, he received wise advice from Diana Vreeland, who at that time was the head of American Vogue. She invited Oscar to go to Elizabeth Arden, who barely understood how the fashion world works, because if de la Renta had accepted the offer from the house of Christian Dior, he would have become the shadow of the great masters.

 
A couple of years later, he settled into the fashion house Jane Derby, and after the death of the owner, he bought the brand and named Oscar de la Renta after his own name. This was the beginning of the famous brand - which continues to delight girls to this day since 1967. The popularity of the brand began to gain stunning momentum - celebrities literally lined up for an amazing dress from a young and charming couturier. At that time in society one could often hear the phrase: &ldquo;You need to dress for the Oscar from the Oscar&rdquo; .

stars-in-oscar-de-la-renta-16.jpg

What is the main success of Oscar de la Rentte?

One of the main goals in Oscar&#39;s life was to create outfits that make girls truly happy.

My job as a designer is to make a woman feel like her best.

oscar-de-la-renta-fashion-designer-eleonora-de-gray-runway-magazine.jpeg

The designer&#39;s first collection was dedicated to Spanish culture - the national flamenco dance costume. The designer has added abstract prints and oriental elements to the traditional costume. A little later, the designer became interested in avant-garde fashion. Oscar was inspired by bright elements, mini dresses, embroidered sweatshirts, and he was also one of the first to promote trousers as an element of evening wear rather than a casual look. In 1973, Oscar took over as president of the CFDA, a council of fashion designers where fashion standards are developed.

4360C63E-C901-47C1-9B60-B04EC9122906.jpeg

FD98DC47-C5BD-456E-BBAA-EDEACFBA72D7.jpeg

1DCC22C9-F753-4D2A-9B0D-E9206969EB35.jpeg

17744C1A-7D9D-4756-BADC-BDAC79BF652A.jpeg

Oscar de la Renta was not only a great couturier, but also a man with a big heart. Having survived a terrible tragedy - the death of his wife (Fran&ccedil;oise was sick with cancer), Oscar began to invest large sums in the research of the disease. A year later, Oscar decides to take a bold step - the adoption of a child.

D77C9F7E-F87A-4A3D-A35B-6D8F0DD7203C.jpeg

Oscar de la Renta worked for about 50 years, and he was one of the few who felt the difference between the catwalk and true fashion. Once the great couturier said the phrase:

Never confuse what happens on the catwalk with fashion. The catwalk is a sight to behold. Fashion is what a woman wears in her life. Dressing well is not the same as having exceptional clothing. It&#39;s a matter of good balance and common sense.

Fashion legend: Oscar de la Renta

Ierakstu izvēle

Fashion

Miley Cyrus and Leon Dame Steal the Show in Dolce & Gabbana's Fall-Winter 2025 Campaign

L'Hommes

Trifonas Samaras: ”My sincerity is my strength”

Editorials

UNREVEALED STORY

Gourmand Guide

Restorāns “5 Elementi” pāriet uz veģetāro koncepciju

Lifestyle

Uzņēmums ErgonomMy rīko akciju “Pārbaudi savu darba vietu”

Fashion

Irina Shayk stuns in Helmut Lang's Fall-Winter 2024 campaign

Fashion

Ellen Hodakova Larsson becomes the winner of the 2024 LVMH Prize

Editorials

GARDEN OF GLAMOUR