• About
  • Editorial Board
    • Staff Writers
  • Advertise
  • Join Us
  • Archives
The Wellesley News -
  • News and Features
    • The Wellesley (COVID) 100
      The Wellesley (COVID) 100
    • In memory of Professor Rebecca Summerhays
      In memory of Professor Rebecca Summerhays
    • Trans flag controversy: College power washes staircase after trans flag is painted over Harry Potter spray paint
      Trans flag controversy: College power washes staircase after trans flag is painted over Harry Potter spray paint
    • News
      • News in Brief
      • Nation & World
      • President’s Corner
      • Senate Report
    • Features
      • Alumnae Spotlight
      • Eye on Science
      • Faculty Focus
      • LGBTQIA+ Column
  • Opinions
    • The News in Conversation: Wellesley Against Mass Incarceration
      The News in Conversation: Wellesley Against Mass Incarceration
    • Editorial Board calls for keeping up trans flag murals
      Editorial Board calls for keeping up trans flag murals
    • No, Elon Musk’s Twitter will not restore free speech
      No, Elon Musk’s Twitter will not restore free speech
    • Staff Editorial
    • Letters to the Editor
    • The Elephant in the Room
  • Arts
    • Be/longing Centers Connection and Care
      Be/longing Centers Connection and Care
    • No image
      Birds Falling Upwards: Wellesley College Theater’s The Moors is a Must-See
    • No image
      Sometimes you just need to read a YA “Groundhog Day” to feel something
    • Arts In The News
    • Reviews
    • Music Peek
    • Books Before Boys
  • Health and Wellness
    • February Student Athlete of the Month
      February Student Athlete of the Month
    • Athletics Update
      Athletics Update
    • Victoria Garrick Speaks on Mental Health
      Victoria Garrick Speaks on Mental Health
    • Athlete of the Week
    • Boston Sports Update
    • The Vegan Digest
    • The SHE Corner
  • The Wellesley Snooze
    • Wellesley News Leadership Changes Completely Peacefully Without Any Suspicious Disappearances At All
      Wellesley News Leadership Changes Completely Peacefully Without Any Suspicious Disappearances At All
    • Solve Your Connection Problems With Wellesley Insecure
      Solve Your Connection Problems With Wellesley Insecure
    • Mayhem strikes Wellesley as paper towels removed from campus
      Mayhem strikes Wellesley as paper towels removed from campus
  • Miscellanea
    • President’s Column: The Butterfly Effect
      President’s Column: The Butterfly Effect
    • Administrators shocked to learn that students dislike being left in dark
      Administrators shocked to learn that students dislike being left in dark
    • 50 Lies You Tell Yourself in Order to Survive Until Graduation
      50 Lies You Tell Yourself in Order to Survive Until Graduation
    • The Dose
    • The Olive Branch
    • Multimedia
      • Galleries
      • Infographics
      • Videos
By Michelle Lee ArtsOctober 30, 2014

Legendary designer Oscar de La Renta dies at 82

The world mourned the loss of a prominent figure in the fashion industry this past week. On Monday, Oct. 20, Oscar de la Renta passed away from cancer, leaving behind the memory of his iconic designs and impeccable style. Oscar de la Renta was not only a legendary designer in the clothing industry, but also a philanthropist, socialite and a dear friend of a Wellesley alumna, Hillary Clinton.

Oscar’s climb towards international success started out in a middle class family on a Caribbean island. The Dominican Republic-born boy left his home at the age of 18 to study art in Spain; however, his path was turned towards the fashion industry when his talent was recognized by the U.S. Ambassador to Spain at the time. De la Renta’s first gown design was worn by the ambassador’s daughter and featured in Life magazine. At that moment, the young man launched with high velocity into the strange and exciting realm of high fashion.

Though new to Europe, de la Renta obtained an internship under the renowned Cristóbal Balenciaga, whom he considered his mentor, and later at the House of Lanvin-Castillo in France. His keen eye for detail and refined concept of style and elegance fit perfectly with the turbulent industry of ever-changing fashion. He knew exactly what women wanted to look like, and perfected the means to achieve it. De la Renta’s success was largely accredited to his designs, but his social prowess also played a key role. His genuine kindness but fierce ambitions led him overseas where he took over the Jane Derby fashion house in America, and later, the French house of Balmain.

Many have praised de la Renta’s designs for their dramatic play on bold colors and their feminine elegance and charm. Among those who’ve admired and donned his dresses are the first ladies of America, including Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama. He once said, “Fashion is non-political and non-partisan,” which evidently proved true when both Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush selected de la Renta to create their inaugural ball gowns. De la Renta helped cultivate Clinton’s infamous pant suit style, maintaining a conservative look while staying fashionable. More recently, he designed an iconic, autographed dress worn by Sarah Jessica Parker for the 2014 Met Gala, and, as his last work, the wedding gown of Amal Clooney, George Clooney’s wife. His works have made appearances on countless occasions ranging from political cocktail parties to major red carpet events; his death marked the end of an unforgettable lifetime of achievement.

Many of de la Renta’s enthusiasts publicly mourned his death on various forms of social media in the past week. Singer Taylor Swift grieved at the death of “her favorite designer” on Twitter, model Karlie Kloss instagrammed a picture of her with the designer and the Clintons said they “lost a dear friend.” Editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour recounted sentimental memories she and the designer shared together. An official statement was released by de la Renta’s stepdaughter and son-in-law describing his passing: “He died exactly as he lived: with tremendous grace, great dignity and very much on his own terms.”

At 82, de la Renta fulfilled a life brimming with international recognition. Though he is no longer with us today, his vivid prints, elegant necklines and historically iconic gowns have collectively influenced the fashion industry indefinitely.

Graphic by Lia Wang ’16

Share on

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google +
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Previous articlePoet Vera Pavlova, banned from writing in Russia, draws packed crowd at Newhouse Center
Next articleEvent of the week

You may also like

Be/longing Centers Connection and Care

Birds Falling Upwards: Wellesley College Theater’s The Moors is a Must-See

Sometimes you just need to read a YA “Groundhog Day” to feel something

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive our weekly digest in your inbox

* indicates required

Top Articles

Sorry. No data so far.

Recent Tweets

Tweets by @Wellesley_News

The independent student newspaper of Wellesley College since 1901.

Sign up to receive our weekly digest in your inbox

* indicates required

  • About
  • Editorial Board
    • Staff Writers
  • Advertise
  • Join Us
  • Archives
COPYRIGHT © 2022 THE WELLESLEY NEWS
Back to top