Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta
Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo, known professionally as Oscar de la Renta, was a Dominican-American fashion designer. Born in Santo Domingo, he was trained by Cristóbal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo. De la Renta became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers who dressed 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...
NationalityDominican
ProfessionDesigner
Date of Birth22 July 1932
CountryDominica
I come from a very warm island, where colors are very important, very vibrant, and obviously the color has been an influence on my work.
The most important beauty is not that with which you were born, but the beauty of character which grows through a woman's life and maybe never stops growing.
A woman today knows that the power of her femininity is very important.
It's important to excite the imagination of a woman.
The most important thing? Perfect lighting at all times.
In fashion, the most important thing is to move on.
We're dealing with sophisticated customers. What's most important to these women is individuality. I have to create things she'll want to wear, no matter who she is.
I have this complex that if I walk into a place wearing a colorful shirt someone will stop me and say, 'I'm sorry, but the Latin band comes through the other door.'
I wanted this, I wanted to do this, but my work is me, and it has to be right.
As far as preference between fall and spring collections, I have none that I prefer to design. With fall you have a lot more items, but of course I am from the Dominican Republic, so I love the warm weather.
A woman plays such an active role in society. And today, the woman who influences fashion is not that very rich woman who sits at home and polishes her nails. It's the one who works, who is a doer, who does things by dressing. She's very strongly projecting an image of herself as an individual.
I think the greatest reward I have is getting up and going to work each day. I love what I do.
I adore gardening, and whenever I have time off, that is my passion.
The charities closest to my heart have always involved helping children in some way.