Recently, on October 20, 2014, legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta passed away after a decade long battle with cancer. Hollywood stars deeply mourned the death of this iconic figure who dressed some of the most influential women in the world including four first ladies and most recently,
George Clooney’s wife, Amal Alamuddin on her wedding day.

De la Renta built his life up from the bottom. Aspiring to be a painter at a young age, the fashion designer eventually found his calling for fashion while on vacation in Paris. HIs first job, at Lavin-Castillo, moved him to the next level and helped him develop a firm foot in America by the time he started his own ready-to-wear clothing line in 1965. From that moment on, fashion consumed his life. In 1967, he married editor-in-chief of French Vogue Francoise de Langlade. Her presence in his life exposed him to some of the most influential members of the fashion industry at the time.

By 1973, de la Renta was serving as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and continued to prosper with his high-end clothing line. However, in 1983, he suffered the loss of his wife to bone cancer. Soon after, he adopted a son, and in 1990 he remarried to socialite Annette Reed.

As his success grew, de la Renta did not stray from his values of kindness and generosity. He stayed focus in his passion for the arts as well and supported numerous cultural programs. Up until his death, de la Renta silently struggled with cancer and continued to put out his best work until he could no more.

At his funeral on November 3, 2014, actresses, supermodels, newswomen, fellow designers, and former first lady Hillary Clinton all packed into St. Ignatius Loyola Church to mourn his death. Attendees praised his dedication and passion as well as the kind heart he maintained throughout his entire life. They also reflected on how well the funeral respected the legendary designer, father, husband, and friend’s life.