Tuesday 21 October 2014

5 ways de la Renta was a pop icon






He's been called the "Sultan of Suave" and a fashion powerhouse. Oscar de la Renta died Monday, October 20, after half a century as a legendary designer. "I'm a very restless person," he once said. "I'm always doing something. The creative process never stops." Celebrities, too, loved him for his approach to design. Take a look at some of his red-carpet creations: He's been called the "Sultan of Suave" and a fashion powerhouse. Oscar de la Renta died Monday, October 20, after half a century as a legendary designer. "I'm a very restless person," he once said. "I'm always doing something. The creative process never stops." Celebrities, too, loved him for his approach to design. Take a look at some of his red-carpet creations:

In 2011, Penelope Cruz stole the spotlight at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala. The actress, who attended the event with de la Renta, wore a black silk organza gown from the designer's fall 2011 collection. In 2011, Penelope Cruz stole the spotlight at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala. The actress, who attended the event with de la Renta, wore a black silk organza gown from the designer's fall 2011 collection.

Jennifer Lawrence's dress at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards was as bright as her rising star in Hollywood. Lawrence's hot-pink de la Renta number landed the actress on People magazine's best-dressed list for the event. Jennifer Lawrence's dress at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards was as bright as her rising star in Hollywood. Lawrence's hot-pink de la Renta number landed the actress on People magazine's best-dressed list for the event.

The handcrafted Oscar de la Renta gown that Amy Adams wore to the 2013 Oscars was so ethereal it almost looked as though the actress was floating on air. The handcrafted Oscar de la Renta gown that Amy Adams wore to the 2013 Oscars was so ethereal it almost looked as though the actress was floating on air.

While de la Renta was known for his show-stopping dresses with full skirts or elongated trains, he could also make a simple shift sing. Anne Hathaway wore this short, breezy and sparkling de la Renta number to the Sydney premiere of "Love & Other Drugs" in 2010. While de la Renta was known for his show-stopping dresses with full skirts or elongated trains, he could also make a simple shift sing. Anne Hathaway wore this short, breezy and sparkling de la Renta number to the Sydney premiere of "Love & Other Drugs" in 2010.

De la Renta wasn't just the designer of choice for actresses -- musicians adored him, too. His penchant for bold designs attracted Nicki Minaj, who donned one of his creations for the 2011 American Music Awards. De la Renta wasn't just the designer of choice for actresses -- musicians adored him, too. His penchant for bold designs attracted Nicki Minaj, who donned one of his creations for the 2011 American Music Awards.

De la Renta knew his way around a floral pattern, inventing silhouettes that wouldn't overwhelm the wearer. Look at the clean lines he gave this eye-catching gown, which Scarlett Johansson wore to the 2009 premiere of "He's Just Not That Into You." De la Renta knew his way around a floral pattern, inventing silhouettes that wouldn't overwhelm the wearer. Look at the clean lines he gave this eye-catching gown, which Scarlett Johansson wore to the 2009 premiere of "He's Just Not That Into You."

For an occasion as big as her final "Harry Potter" premiere, actress Emma Watson chose a designer she knew would have a timeless and memorable look. Seen here at the 2011 premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Pt. 2," Watson's voluminous de la Renta dress perfectly matched the emotional scale of the event. For an occasion as big as her final "Harry Potter" premiere, actress Emma Watson chose a designer she knew would have a timeless and memorable look. Seen here at the 2011 premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Pt. 2," Watson's voluminous de la Renta dress perfectly matched the emotional scale of the event.

At the 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Tina Fey turned heads -- and landed on best-dressed lists -- in a sleek column gown from de la Renta. The sweetheart cut of the strapless dress was alluring without being overtly provocative, a combination that the designer nailed every time. At the 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Tina Fey turned heads -- and landed on best-dressed lists -- in a sleek column gown from de la Renta. The sweetheart cut of the strapless dress was alluring without being overtly provocative, a combination that the designer nailed every time.

Taylor Swift is a professed devotee of Oscar de la Renta, and she chose to wear one of the designer's structurally impressive confections to the 2014 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Upon de la Renta's death, Swift shared her condolences on Twitter: "Oscar, it was an honor to wear your creations and to know you," <a href='http://ift.tt/1yd5Yxo' target='_blank'>the singer said</a>.Taylor Swift is a professed devotee of Oscar de la Renta, and she chose to wear one of the designer's structurally impressive confections to the 2014 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Upon de la Renta's death, Swift shared her condolences on Twitter: "Oscar, it was an honor to wear your creations and to know you," the singer said.

This kicky black de la Renta dress, worn to the 2005 Golden Globes, is one of Eva Longoria's most memorable red-carpet looks. The actress was starring on "Desperate Housewives" at the time, and her impeccably detailed cocktail number was like the luxe item a '50s housewife would kill to add to her collection. This kicky black de la Renta dress, worn to the 2005 Golden Globes, is one of Eva Longoria's most memorable red-carpet looks. The actress was starring on "Desperate Housewives" at the time, and her impeccably detailed cocktail number was like the luxe item a '50s housewife would kill to add to her collection.

Beyonce is another famous name who can be counted as a fan of de la Renta's. The superstar singer, seen here at the designer's fall 2005 fashion show in New York, later wore a red de la Renta dress <a href='http://ift.tt/RuGRnY' target='_blank'>to meet President Obama in 2012.</a>Beyonce is another famous name who can be counted as a fan of de la Renta's. The superstar singer, seen here at the designer's fall 2005 fashion show in New York, later wore a red de la Renta dress to meet President Obama in 2012.

Sarah Jessica Parker is one of de la Renta's more ardent supporters, often choosing to wear the designer on the red carpet. One of our favorite all-time Emmys looks is the feathery pink de la Renta dress SJP wore to the 2000 event. It was fun and, perhaps more importantly, it was unique. Sarah Jessica Parker is one of de la Renta's more ardent supporters, often choosing to wear the designer on the red carpet. One of our favorite all-time Emmys looks is the feathery pink de la Renta dress SJP wore to the 2000 event. It was fun and, perhaps more importantly, it was unique.

Jessica Biel is another actress you'll often see rocking a de la Renta label. At the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscars party, Biel's gown had all the designer's hallmarks: bold use of color and flattering to the female form. Jessica Biel is another actress you'll often see rocking a de la Renta label. At the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscars party, Biel's gown had all the designer's hallmarks: bold use of color and flattering to the female form.

Cameron Diaz could've been mistaken as the night's top prize at the 2010 Oscars, where she wore a golden de la Renta gown that was breathtaking thanks to its layers of tulle and embroidery. Cameron Diaz could've been mistaken as the night's top prize at the 2010 Oscars, where she wore a golden de la Renta gown that was breathtaking thanks to its layers of tulle and embroidery.

Jennifer Garner looked stunning at the 2014 Oscars, thanks not in small part to the tiered, fringed de la Renta dress she wore. "He always wanted women to be the star of the look," <a href='http://ift.tt/125vla0' target='_blank'>Garner told USA Today</a> upon the designer's death. "The sketches that he did for me at the Oscars last year, every single one of them he sketched my face in. It wasn't just a sketch of some dress — it was how it would be on me, specifically. I was so lucky to get to work with him and to know him even just a little bit."Jennifer Garner looked stunning at the 2014 Oscars, thanks not in small part to the tiered, fringed de la Renta dress she wore. "He always wanted women to be the star of the look," Garner told USA Today upon the designer's death. "The sketches that he did for me at the Oscars last year, every single one of them he sketched my face in. It wasn't just a sketch of some dress — it was how it would be on me, specifically. I was so lucky to get to work with him and to know him even just a little bit."

Of all the dresses de la Renta has placed on celebrities over the years, this navy blue item, worn by Oprah Winfrey to the 2010 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is easily one of the most memorable. Taken separately, the elements have the potential to sound boring: a navy color, long sleeves and a skirt that's floor-length. But tailored properly and with attention to special details, this is a de la Renta gem. Of all the dresses de la Renta has placed on celebrities over the years, this navy blue item, worn by Oprah Winfrey to the 2010 Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is easily one of the most memorable. Taken separately, the elements have the potential to sound boring: a navy color, long sleeves and a skirt that's floor-length. But tailored properly and with attention to special details, this is a de la Renta gem.

De la Renta's designs were loved among political figures, too. Hillary Clinton joined de la Renta onstage at the CFDA Fashion Awards last year in New York.De la Renta's designs were loved among political figures, too. Hillary Clinton joined de la Renta onstage at the CFDA Fashion Awards last year in New York.

And in 2005, first lady Laura Bush wore a sophisticated silver de la Renta gown to celebrate the inauguration of her husband, President George W. Bush. And in 2005, first lady Laura Bush wore a sophisticated silver de la Renta gown to celebrate the inauguration of her husband, President George W. Bush.

De la Renta even made his stamp among brides. Most recently, he designed the wedding gown worn by George Clooney's bride, Amal Alamuddin.De la Renta even made his stamp among brides. Most recently, he designed the wedding gown worn by George Clooney's bride, Amal Alamuddin.

And in 2010, Chelsea Clinton -- the daughter of President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton -- went with a de la Renta dress when she wed Marc Mezvinsky.And in 2010, Chelsea Clinton -- the daughter of President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton -- went with a de la Renta dress when she wed Marc Mezvinsky.








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  • Oscar de la Renta was more than just a designer

  • His name was synonymous with class and style

  • His influence spread to film and TV




(CNN) -- Oscar de la Renta was far from just a fashion designer.


The man who died Monday at the age of 82 was as much an icon as some of the celebrities he dressed over the years. From haute couture to causal wear, his name became synonymous with glamour and style. After he spent decades making the beautiful all the more so, he became a part of the zeitgeist.


The following are five examples of the designer's influence on pop culture.


1. On the small screen


Fans of "Sex and the City" often tuned in as much for the style lessons as for the spicy plotlines.


Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw helped put Manolo Blahnik shoes on the map and had viewers trying to emulate some of her looks. Devotees can quote from season six when Bradshaw's artist boyfriend, Aleksandr Petrovsky (Mikhail Baryshnikov), casually mentions his friendship with de la Renta.


"Oscar? You ... you call him Oscar?" Carrie asks Aleksandr, stunned.


He later gifts her with an Oscar de la Renta dress, scoring points with us all.


Parker wore one of the designer's gowns at this year's Met Gala. It was literally a signature piece, as she had de la Renta's John Hancock etched on the back.


"I said to Mr. De la Renta, please let me use scarlet embroidery thread and splash your name across the back," the actress told Vanity Fair. "It was my idea. He would never in a million years have done it; he's far too modest."


2. In the music industry


Hip-hop often finds rappers waxing about luxury.


So it's no surprise that more than a few incorporated the designer into their lyrics. Whether it's Nicki Minaj musing about being "front row at Oscar de la Renta" or Kanye West's clever word play -- "especially if she can't get that dress from Oscar de la Renta they wouldn't rent her" -- many artists used his name to express the good life.


Clinton family remembers Oscar de la Renta


3. With the movers and shakers


His fashions were a favorite of this country's first ladies from Jacqueline Kennedy to Hillary Clinton, and he continued to draw the rich and powerful even in his later years.


Celebs like Beyonce and Victoria Beckham were often spotted at his shows, and some, like Oprah Winfrey, clamored to be photographed with the man who dressed them so elegantly.


"So sad for the loss of this legend. Oscar de la Renta thank for all the beauty and inspiration you shared with us," "Project Runway" judge Nina Garcia tweeted.







4. At the movies


Who can forget the scene in "The Devil Wears Prada" in which Meryl Streep as fashion editor Miranda Priestly explains to her assistant Andy Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway) how high fashion filters down to the masses -- including the blue sweater she is wearing.


"You're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns," the tough-as-nails Priestly says. "And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin."


5. Among the people


His jeans were hot in the 1980s, and his brand encompasses everything from fragrance to sleepwear. Though his name often showed up in the media for designing Amal Clooney's wedding gown or dressing stars on the red carpet, de la Renta's style was also available to the much less famous.


For that, we'll all remember him.



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