Oscar De La Renta is one of the most well known fashion designers. Oscar was born in the Dominican Republic in 1932. Once he was 18, he visited Madrid to study art. However, he was intrigued by fashion and decided to pursue it. He immediately received an apprenticeship from Balenciaga, one of Spain’s most noted designers. In 1961 he got his first real job in fashion at Lanvin. After two years, he moved to New York to work at Elizabeth Arden, and in 1965 he began his own label.

De La Renta married Francoise de Langlade, an editor in chief of French Vogue, in 1967. She introduced him to many influential members of the fashion community and gave his work exposure to the rich and famous. Oscar served as President of the CFDA from 1973 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988. During this time, his wife Francoise tragically died. He remarried years later to a socialite and philanthropist named Annette Reed.

De La Renta enjoyed a career full of success. He has designed for many famous people, including many American first ladies such as Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush. He has also dressed modern stars such as Gisele Bundchen, Anne Hathaway, and Nicole Kidman. In addition to being a celebrated fashion icon, he is a big supporter of the arts. Throughout his life he has served on the boards of Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera. In addition, De La Renta has supported many cultural organizations such as New Yorkers for Children and the Spanish Institute.