#riposcardelarenta

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[sonsandbrothers]

In 1993, "The Sultan of Suave" Oscar de la Renta became the first  became the first Dominican to design for a French couture house. From 1993 to 2002, de la Renta designed haute couture collections for Pierre Balmain, reviving the French fashion house.

While studying art at Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, he landed an apprenticeship with Cristóbal Balenciaga, Spain's most revered couturier (designer who manufactures/sells clothes that have been tailored to a client's specific requirements and measurements) at the time. After his apprenticeship, he joined Antonio del Castillo as a couture assistant at @lanvin in Paris.

In 1963, he travelled to America and, under the mentorship of then editor-in-chief of @vogue Diana Vreeland, he secured a role at Elizabeth Arden designing haute-couture gowns for the label's custom-made clothing line. The world-renowned fashion designer launched his label in 1965, during his tenure at Arden. 

Named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame the same year he became president of the @cfda (serving from 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988). He launched the prestigious CFDA Awards which replaced the Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards. 

Throughout his career, he has designed for many influential women including Beatrice Lodge, the daughter of then-U.S. ambassador to Spain, John Davis Lodge; Nancy Reagan; Hillary Clinton; Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

De la Renta served as a board member of The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall and Thirteen WNET New York. He served on the boards of several charitable institutions such as New Yorkers For Children, the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. He was chairman of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute and received an honorary degree from Hamilton College in May 2013.

Well-known for his charitable nature, his commitment to helping the inhabitants of his birthplace can be seen in the foundations of La Casa del Niño / UCI Doña Pilar, the orphanage and school that he built for the children of La Romana. Caring for 1,200 children on a daily basis, it provides schooling and day-care for newborns and children so their mothers can work. The Dominican Republic honored him with the Order of Juan Pablo Duarte and the Order of Cristóbal Colón.

On October 20, 2014, de la Renta passed away following a long battle with cancer.

FACT: On his father's side, De la Renta's great-great grandfather José Ortíz de la Renta, was the first mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico elected by popular vote. #RIPOscardelaRenta