Oscar de la Renta is one of those fashion designers that many people have no idea where he came from. He was originally born in the Dominican Republic and he has worked in fashion design all over the world. He is famous for some of the fashion design work that he did throughout Europe. However, if you have to get down to the basics, he is actually an American designer since his citizenship is here.

 

www.oscardelarenta.com

 

Óscar Aristides de la RentaFiallo (born July 22, 1932) is one of the world's leading fashion designers. Trained by Cristóbal Balenciaga and Antonio Castillo, he became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers to dress 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, into the 2010s. De La Renta is particularly known for his red carpet gowns and evening wear.

 

Early years

De la Renta was born Oscar Aristides de la RentaFiallo in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to a Dominican mother, Maria Antonia Fiallo, and a Puerto Rican father, Oscar Avelino de la Renta. The Fiallos were so embedded in Dominican society that they could count poets, scholars, and businessmen as well as top army brass among their members.

 

One of Maria Antonia's brothers, Aristides Fiallo Cabral, was an intellectual- a doctor, lawyer, architect, and recipient of every degree the University of Santo Domingo could confer. Another brother, Fabio Fiallo, was a diplomat and poet. On his father's side, de la Renta's great great grandfather José Ortíz de la Renta was the first constitutional mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico to be elected by popular vote.He served as mayor from 1812 to 1814, from 1815 to 1816, from 1820 to 1821, from 1823 to 1826, from 1837 to 1838, from 1842 to 1843, from 1843 to 1844, and 1846. He had the distinction of having held the office of mayor of Ponce the most-eight times.

 

At the age of 18 he left the Dominican Republic to study in Spain, where he studied painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. He quickly became interested in the world of fashion design and began sketching for leading Spanish fashion houses, which soon led to an apprenticeship with Spain's most renowned couturier, Cristóbal Balenciaga. Later, de la Renta left Spain to join Antonio Castillo as a couture assistant at Lanvin in Paris.

 

Career

In 1963, de la Renta turned to Diana Vreeland, the editor-in-chief of Vogue for advice, saying that what he really wanted was to "get into ready to wear, because that's where the money is". Vreeland replied, "Then go to Arden because you will make your reputation faster. She is not a designer, so she will promote you. At the other place, you will always be eclipsed by the name of Dior." De la Renta proceeded to work for Arden for two years before he in 1965 went to work for Jane Derby and launched his own label. When Derby died in August 1965 Oscar de la Renta took over the label.

 

From 1993 to 2002, Oscar de la Renta designed the haute couture collection for the house of Balmain, becoming the first Dominican to design for a French couture house. In 2006, the Oscar de la Renta label diversified into bridal wear.

 

Oscar de la Renta has had the distinct honor of having his designs worn by a diverse group of distinguished women and celebrities.

 

De la Renta's ready-to-wear designs are available in his retail stores, online, and with select wholesale partners worldwide.

 

Design awards

1n 1967 and 1968, de la Renta won the Coty award (the US fashion industry 'Oscars') and in 1973 was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame.

 

From 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988, he served as President of the CFDA.[20] He is also a two-time winner of the American Fashion Critic's Award and was inducted into the Fame in 1973.

 

De la Renta's talents receive continual international recognition. Among them, he received the Council of Fashion Designers Designer of the Year Award in 2000 and in 2007 (tied with ProenzaSchouler). In February 1990, he was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award. King Juan Carlos of Spain bestowed de la Renta with two awards, the Gold Medal of BellasArtes and the La Gran Cruz de la Orden de Merito Civil.He is recognized by the French government with the Légiond'honneur as a Commandeur.

 

Other awards

The Dominican Republic has also honored him with the Order of Juan Pablo Duarte and the Order of Cristóbal Colón. De la Renta founded the Casa del Nino orphanage in La RomanaHe has contributed extensively in the construction of a much needed school near his home at the Punta Cana Resort and Club in Punta Cana.[citation needed] Oscar de la Renta holds dual citizenship in the Dominican Republic and the United States.He is an Ambassador-at-Large of the Dominican Republic.

 

De la Renta serves as a board member of the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and WNET. He also serves on the boards of several charitable institutions such as New Yorkers for Children, the America's Society.

 

De la Renta is presently chairman of the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute.