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.
$3,200 / set
Pair of Oscar de la Renta Ottoman
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Oscar de la Renta design chippendale contemporary ottoman. Carved decorative ball and claw foot painted legs. Upholstered in patinated leather with brass nail head trim, signed.
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Oscar De La Renta Home Napkin Rings for Lunt Set of 8
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Oscar De La Renta Home for Lunt, set of 8. Oscar de la Renta Napkin rings, unused. Silver plated and enamel in turquoise and red. Set of 4 Os...
Silver Plate
Mother of Pearl Oscar De La Renta Side Table
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mother of pearl side tables designed by OscarDe La Renta for Century Furniture. Simplistic in lines yet stunning in material, this side table catches the light in the most beautiful ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Oscar de la Renta for Lunt Folding Lacquered Tray Table
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in New York, NY
A great designer folding tray table for serving or an occasional table. The black and silver/grey zig zag design is by Oscar De la Renta.
Lacquer
Oscar De La Renta Black and Crème Lacquered Tray Table
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Westport, CT
Oscar De La Renta black and crème lacquered tray table with stand, Lunt Silver corners and feet.
Lacquer, Wood
De Sede Leather Patchwork Ottomans
By De Sede
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large collection of patchwork leather pouf/ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede with patchwork leather and wonderful selection of colors. Original soft leather with beautiful patina ...
Leather
$1,850
H 18.5 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Moroccan Midcentury Side Table with Hexagonal Top and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Moroccan side table from the mid 20th century, with inlaid star motif. Created in Morocco during the midcentury period, this side table features an hexagonal top adorned with a lar...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Pair of Ottomans on Rollers
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of ottomans on rollers which we had professionally reupholstered in a shiny velvet fabric. Ottomans measure 17" wide, 17" deep and 17" high. Seat height is also 17".
Fabric
$1,593
H 3.15 in W 31.5 in D 23.63 in
Fine 19th Century Papier-Mâché Tray by Jennings & Bettridge, London Royal Makers
By Jennens and Bettridge
Located in Benington, Herts
A superb large hand painted papier-mâché shaped tray impressed to verso by the Royal Makers Jennens & Bettridge, London. English, circa 1830. Beautifully hand painted and gilt ...
Gold Leaf
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century mahogany serving tray Hand made serving tray from solid mahogany with brass hardware. The oval tray has four handles along four drop-down sides. The tray sits a...
Mahogany
$1,500
H 7.5 in W 9.5 in D 6.5 in
Christian Dior Home , rare set 2 Ice Bucket and Wine bottle cooler silver plate
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare 2 pieces set , ice bucket plus wine cooler . Shows original red sticker label . Made in Italy, Quick not most of the French production of Christian Dior was produc...
Silver Plate
De Sede Ottoman
By De Sede
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
De Sede patchwork leather ottoman in varying shades / patina of green Priced individually Multiple colors available. *Sage ottoman with storage, not in stock
Leather
De Sede Ottoman
By De Sede
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large collection of patchwork leather ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede. Original soft leather with beautiful patina and age. Multiple colors, sizes and shapes available - inquire f...
Leather
$6,890
H 23.63 in Dm 21.66 in
Walnut Side Table with Mother of Pearl Marquetry Contemporary Design on Top
By Alexander's Collection, Alexander Anisimov
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Walnut Side Table with Mother of Pearl and Blue Veneer Marquetry Contemporary Design on Top Walnut Side Table with Mother of Pearl Marquetry Contemporary Design on Top. This stunnin...
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Serving Tray on a Folding Stand
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style serving tray with a removable top with a herringbone reed surface in a bamboo frame with brass handles on a mahogany folding base carved with a palm leaf motif...
Bamboo
De Sede Leather Patchwork Ottomans
By De Sede
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Large collection of patchwork leather ottomans by Swiss designer De Sede. Original soft leather with beautiful patina and age. Multiple colors, sizes and shapes available.
Leather
Moroccan Folding Tray Table in Brass and wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Traditional Moroccan Folding Tray Table, Brass, Wood, Morocco, 1940s-1950s. This moorish brass tray table features a round brass tray...
Brass
Pair of Mother of Pearl Oscar De La Renta Side Tables
By Oscar De La Renta, Century Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mother of pearl glamorous side tables designed by OscarDe La Renta for Century Furniture.
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Stone Dining Table with Dolphin Base by Oscar De La Renta
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Stone top table with carved tripod dolphin base by Oscar De La Renta.
Stone
Solid Brass Paper Weight by Oscar de la Renta, No 061, Paris
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid Brass Paper Weight Oscar de la Renta, No 061, Paris "lotus flower" original condition - unpolished "Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo (22 July...
Brass
Stone Dining Table with Dolphin Base by Oscar De La Renta
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Stone top table with three dolphin base by Oscar De La Renta.
Stone
Oscar De La Renta Pair of Armchairs and Ottoman, 2000s
By Century Furniture, Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hamburg, PA
A fabulous set of resin wicker lounge chairs and ottoman by designer Oscar De La Renta. These pieces are made of a 21st-century material called Hularo which is resistant to ultraviol...
Upholstery, Resin
Oscar De La Renta Pair of Reclining Chaise Lounges, 2000s
By Century Furniture, Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hamburg, PA
A fabulous pair of resin wicker reclining chaise lounges by designer Oscar De La Renta. These pieces are made of a 21st-century material called Hularo which is resistant to ultraviol...
Upholstery, Resin
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Kent Teak by Oscar de la Renta Silverplate Flatware Set Service 20 pcs Designer
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Big Bend, WI
Exquisite Kent by Oscar de la Renta Silverplate & twisted Teak handle Flatware set, 20 pieces. Great starter set! This set includes: 4 Knives, 9 1/2" 4 Forks, 9" 4 Salad Forks, 8" ...
Silver Plate
Oscar de la Renta Designed Drop Leaf Table
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exquisite extending dining table designed by Oscar de la Renta for Century Furniture. Each leaf is 18", and can open separately. Opens fully to 36" wide. Please confirm location NY o...
Walnut
Sold
H 7 in W 7 in D 1 in
Oscar de la Renta Pair of Red and Gold Picture Frames 5 x 5 NYC Barney’s NYC
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of Oscar de la Renta “Bryant” enamel red and gold kt trim that were purchased at Barney’s NYC. They were purchased as a gift and never used. They obtain the navy and white sig...
Enamel
Sold
H 21 in W 21 in D 11 in
Oscar de la Renta Home by Century Furniture Co. Faux Tortoise & Brass Side Table
By Century Furniture, Oscar De La Renta
Located in Stamford, CT
Oscar de la Renta Home by Century Furniture Co. faux tortoise side table. Two tier design with faux tortoise veneer and brass capped feet. Sig...
Brass
Rare Oscar De La Renta Stone Dining Table W Triple Dolphin Base
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rare Oscar De La Renta Stone Dining Table W Triple Dolphin Base
Stone
Signed Limited Edition Fashion Color Print by Oscar De La Renta
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Signed lower right, pencil numbered 83/100 lower left. Illustrating a model wearing one of his iconic elegant gowns- here a slim gown with tiered see-thro...
Glass, Paper, Wood