The name Oscar de la Renta is synonymous with enduring originality in fashion, and his work deeply influenced other designers throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Vintage Oscar de la Renta evening dresses and gowns — which often feature ruffles, dazzling prints, vibrant colors and dramatic silhouettes — exude elegant sophistication and femininity, while his exquisite scarves and shoes rounded out his sought-after collections.
De la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic in 1932. He was the youngest of seven children, the rest of whom were girls. At the age of 18, he left home for Madrid and studied painting at the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts. A natural talent for illustration earned him an apprenticeship with the legendary Spanish fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga.
In 1961, de la Renta visited Paris, where he was hired as a couture assistant at Lanvin. Less than two years later, he moved to New York City. He designed a ready-to-wear collection for Elizabeth Arden and partnered with Jane Derby. He also began designing dresses for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. When Derby died in 1965, the label was named after de la Renta (he took full control in the 1970s). Shortly after, he married an editor-in-chief of French Vogue, Françoise de Langlade, whose own career in fashion began at Elsa Schiaparelli’s fashion house.
De la Renta served as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America from 1973–76, and again from 1986–88. In 1981, the tradition of de la Renta dressing First Ladies continued. He quickly became one of Nancy Reagan’s favorite designers (as well as her lifelong friend).
De la Renta expanded his clothing lines throughout the 1990s but kept true to his feminine, polished style. He also continued to design for the First Ladies of the United States, and his pieces were worn by both Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. At Balmain, de la Renta was the first Dominican to design for a French couture house.
Over the course of his career, de la Renta earned the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, the Coty Award and the Fragrance Foundation’s Perennial Success Award. He passed away in 2014.
In 2015, the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Fashion + Film showcased more than 80 of de la Renta's gowns at its inaugural exhibit.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Oscar de la Renta suits, blouses, accessories and handbags.
$145Sale Price|47% Off
Oscar de la Renta Large Cobalt Blue Factice Fragrance Display Bottle
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in University City, MO
Oscar de la Renta Large cobalt blue glass factice fragrance display bottle The large replica fragrance bottle is labeled Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui...
$125
H 6.25 in W 1.75 in D 1.75 in
Vintage Guerlain Chant d’Arômes Refillable Atomizer Case Enameled France 1962
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Guerlain “Chant d’Arômes” Refillable Atomizer Case, Enameled Metal, France, circa 1962 A rare and elegant vintage atomizer case by Guerlain, created for the iconic fragrance Chant d...
Lemaire Enamel Opera Glasses
Located in New York, NY
Lemaire Enamel Opera Glasses made in Paris circa 1930's with hand enamel painted 18th Century figures with a cupid on handle. Extremely beautifully painted...
Peacok Feathers Fan in natural barnished pine wood
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Medium Peacok Feathers Fan in natural barnished pine wood Open 60cm X 30cm / 23,62in x 11,81in Ideal for cocktails and galas, for dancing and for breezing in hot weather. In stock...
Gucci x Bianchi 2011 White City Bike
By Gucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ride in style or elevate your interior space with this amazing Gucci x Bianchi bike! This 2011 collaboration unveiled the exclusive Bianchi by Gucci bi...
Hermes "Marqueterie de Pierres d'Orient... Mini Porcelain Ashtray Organizer
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Hermès Multicolor porcelain mini square organizer "Marqueterie de Pierres d'Orient et d'Occident" featuring a square shape, a under leather bottom with a Hermes signature. Circa 198...
Art Deco French Celluloid Necessaire
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco French celluloid necessaire, painted black with a flapper in a Robe de Style gown holding a Poiretesque rose, The interior containing a glass s...
Hermes “Calligraphy” Mini Porcelain Ashtray Organizer
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Hermès Ivory “Calligraphy” porcelain de Limoges mini organizer featuring a square shape, a under leather bottom, a side Hermes signature. Circa 2000s Made in Frace In good vintage ...
Hermes Change Tray Zebra Pegasus Limoges Porcelain Rare Print
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes marvelous Zebra Pegasus Limoges porcelain change tray. Bougainvillier colourway features beautifully detailed feathered wings...
Yves Saint Laurent African Collection Scallop Runway Hand Mirror
By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Inspired by the Mali African tribe, an extremely rare and important Yves Saint Laurent mixed metal black raffia hand mirror from the "African Collection", circa spring/summer 1967. ...
Hermes Bleus d'Ailleurs Demitasse (Espresso) Cup and Saucer Set of Four
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Bleus D'Ailleurs Demitasse Cup and Saucer featured in a set of four (4). Treat yourself to a quiet moment to experience "A story of “white and blue” made ...
$95
H 4.75 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Iridescent Cobalt and Amethyst Art Glass Perfume Atomizer Faceted Crystal 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Iridescent Cobalt & Amethyst Art Glass Perfume Atomizer, Faceted Crystal, circa 1980s–1990s A striking late 20th-century art glass perfume atomizer, rendered in luminous cobalt blue...
"The Trunk and Bag Trolley" Louis Vuitton Dome , Louis Vuitton Snow Globe
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-ouen, FR
This Louis Vuitton VIP Trunk Bag Trolley Snow Globe was commissioned in 2010, extremely limited, a collector's item.. It features a porter trolley with various Vuitton suitcase, as w...
OSCAR DE LA RENTA metallic green beaded petals tassels drop clip on earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA metallic green beaded petals tassels drop clip on earrings Reference: TGAS/C01478 Brand: Oscar De La Renta Material: Plastic Color: Green Pattern: Solid Closure: Cl...
OSCAR DE LA RENTA black fully beaded double hoop drop clip on earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA black fully beaded double hoop drop clip on earrings Reference: TGAS/C01474 Brand: Oscar De La Renta Material: Plastic Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Clip On ...
OSCAR DE LA RENTA orange crystal faux pearl tassel drop clip on earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA orange crystal faux pearl tassel drop clip on earrings Reference: TGAS/C01477 Brand: Oscar De La Renta Material: Plastic Color: Orange Pattern: Solid Closure: Clip ...
OSCAR DE LA RENTA silver beaded sequins tiered tassels drop stud earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA silver beaded sequins tiered tassels drop stud earrings Reference: TGAS/C01476 Brand: Oscar De La Renta Material: Plastic Color: Silver Pattern: Solid Closure: Pin ...