Fashion lost one of its brightest stars last night, when designer Oscar de la Renta succumbed to his battle with cancer late Monday evening. He was 82. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006, de la Renta had, in recent years, been given a clean bill of health, but there was talk that he had fallen ill again. Just last week de la Renta appointed Peter Copping creative director of the brand, starting the rumor mill that he would soon be unable to perform his duties as designer. "Our Industry has not always done the best job when it comes to changes in design leadership. My hope is that, in leading this selection, and actively participating in the transition, I can insure the right design future for our company and brand," de la Renta had said at the time.
This morning de la Renta’s stepdaughter and son-in-law Eliza and Alex Bolen, vice president of licensing and the chief executive officer of Oscar de la Renta, LLC, respectively, posted a hand-written message on the site about their father’s passing saying: “We write to let you know that Oscar passed away last night at home in Connecticut surrounded by family, friends and more than a few dogs. He died exactly as he lived: with tremendous grace, great dignity and very much on his own terms.” They added, “While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much with us. Oscar's hard work, his intelligence and his love of life are at the heart of our company. All that we have done, and all that we will do, is informed by his values and his spirit," the couple's statement continued. "Through Oscar's example, we know the way forward. We will make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work that Oscar loved so much. We are working on the formal arrangements to celebrate Oscar's life. As those plans are finalized, we will let you know. In the meantime, thank you for your friendship, loyalty and support.”
Considered one of the greatest living designers, de la Renta was a favorite of celebrities, royalty and every First Lady from the time of Betty Ford. Creating classic ready-to-wear and fairytale haute couture, de la Renta spent years designing for Balenciaga, Lanvin and Elizabeth Arden before beginning his own eponymous label. Known for his timeless pieces and flair for colorful and dramatic beauty, women all over the world fell under the spell of his romantic elegance. Today friends are speaking out about the designer, and everyone from Diane von Furstenberg to Nancy Reagan is offering words of love, praise and remembrance. “He always said accept your friends for who they are, not for who you want them to be. Oscar was everything you could want a friend to be,” Anna Wintour told Vogue. “Annette [his wife] was his perfect partner, creating those magical houses and gardens together, giving extraordinary seemingly effortless dinners, and always taking care of each other. She slept on a cot in the hospital every night he was there. Theirs was the greatest, most life-enhancing love affair. Last week in the hospital he said that she never wears the beautiful jewelry he gave her, and she said simply, ‘I have you.’”
Oscar de la Renta is survived by his second wife Annette Engelhard Reed; his three step-children Beatrice Reed, Charlie Reed and Eliza Bolen; his son Moises de la Renta; three sisters, and nine grandchildren.
