SCAD FASH proudly presents the exhibition “Oscar de la Renta” celebrating the illustrious life and designs of the storied American couturier whose work set the standard for timeless elegance. Known as “the sultan of chic,” de la Renta dressed such Hollywood A-listers as Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman and Taylor Swift, as well as former first lady Laura Bush.

Biography
Oscar de la Renta’s story begins on July 22, 1932, in the Dominican Republic, where he grew up surrounded by his six older sisters, mother and grandmother. De la Renta’s mother, María Antonia, was an ardent supporter of her son’s artistic talents and encouraged him to pursue his desire to study painting in Spain. At the age of 18, he moved to Madrid to attend the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.

As a student, de la Renta immersed himself in the culture of Spain and, to make extra money, took up fashion sketching. His talent and appreciation for fashion soon found him working for one of the greatest couturiers of all time, Cristobal Balenciaga. With his sights set on Paris, de la Renta requested a transfer to the designer’s Parisian salon, but was denied. He decided to make the move on his own.

“I fell madly for Spain, its people, its landscape and life in Madrid. The sights, sounds and drama of Spanish culture — bullfights, flamenco and the most festive celebrations such as the traditional ferias of Seville and fallas of Valencia — were burned forever in my imagination, defining my own aesthetic.”
Oscar de la Renta

The First Collection
By 1965, de la Renta had his own label and, in 1967, his collection “The Road of Spices” earned him his first Coty Award, the prestigious recognition conferred upon designers for their significant contribution to fashion. This was only the beginning of de la Renta’s ascent as a designer. His remarkable legacy transcends even the fashion empire he built through the relationships he made.

Beyond his work as chairman of Oscar de la Renta LLC, he was a tireless patron of the arts. De la Renta served on the Board of Trustees for Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera Guild, New Yorkers for Children and the Americas Society. He was also a dual citizen of the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, where he served as ambassador-at-large.

Dressing the First Ladies
Ten first ladies wore Oscar de la Renta designs during their time in the White House. His fashion transcended party lines. He built his career on the philosophy that all women want to be beautiful, and he brought out the singular beauty and character of each woman he designed for.

“In 1963, fashion was very different. There are many parallels as to what happened in American fashion and what happened for women in those years.”
Oscar de la Renta

“Ovation for Oscar” provides an intimate account of the making of a major museum exhibition honoring the designer, artist and cultural icon.