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.
Oscar De La Renta Gold Plated Leaves Bracelet
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Oscar de la Renta 24K gold plated pewter and brass bracelet . It depicts a Caesar olive leaves crown like cuff. It has a spring hinge closure.It is hallmarked Oscar de la ...
Gold Plate
Oscar De La Renta Gold Plated Metal and White Resin Coral “Flowers” Bracelet
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Oscar de la Renta gold plated metal and white resin coral “flowers” bracelet . It depicts a hinged bracelet adorned with three resin c...
Gold Plate
Oscar De La Renta Set of Gold Plated Leaves Bracelet and Necklace
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Oscar de la Renta set of gold plated necklace and bracelet. It depicts a chain link necklace with a large pendant brooch flower made of...
Gold Plate
Alex Jona Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Woven Plissé Cuff Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver woven Plissé bracelet. Also available in different widths. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet with Coral Flower Designs
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet with Coral Flower Designs - The bangle measures 17.3mm wide on the top and 14.6mm on the bottom. The insid...
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$673Sale Price|25% Off
H 2.25 in W 2.5 in D 1.5 in
Vintage Sculptural Gold Plated Modernist Architectural Cuff Bracelet 80's
Located in North Miami, FL
This dynamic and sculptural cuff bracelet is modernist and architectural all at the same time. It is gold plated and from the 80's. Upside down, it looks like an inverted U. It slips...
Gold Plate
Alex Jona Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Woven Plissé Cuff Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver woven Plissé bracelet. Also available in different widths. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Woven Plissé Cuff Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver woven Plissé bracelet. Also available in different widths. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Cage Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, gold plated sterling silver cage bracelet with a brushed finish. Alex Jona jewels stand out for the careful attention given to details during all the manufacturing process. Alex's passion for jewels flows in splendid pieces entirely hand-crafted according to the best goldsmith Italian tradition. This piece will arrive at your door beautifully gift wrapped in Alex Jona boxes, put inside an elegant pouch or jewel box. OUR STORY...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
de Grisogono Ventaglio bracelet in 18k gold & diamonds. Part of set with earring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in London, GB
This spectacular Ventaglio bracelet by de Grisogono is made of 18k pink gold and adorned with alternating rows of white and icy diamonds. In total there are approximately 11.25 carat...
Diamond, Gold
Emerald White Diamond Snake Cuff Bracelet Gold-Plated Serpent Open Bangle
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald White Diamond Snake Cuff Bracelet Gold-Plated Designer: J DAUPHIN The Snake Cuff Bracelet is handcrafted in brass with a 14K gold finish. The sculptural serpent wraps arou...
White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
18 Karat White Gold, Diamonds, Pink Sapphire, Ruby and Tsavorite Flower Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Step into a world of delight and magic, where flowers burst into bloom in a spectacular display of colourful gemstones and floral splendour. Inspired by vibrant African print, this c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Go...
$420Sale Price|20% Off
L 6.3 in
Oscar de la Renta Double Strand Floral Charm Toggle Clasp Bracelet in Gold
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
A dazzling bracelet from Oscar de la Renta. Features two strands, each with dangling leaf and circular motif charms. An extravagant design! Toggle clasp closure Hallmarks: Oscar de ...
Gold Plate
$580Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.58 in L 7.09 in
Oscar de la Renta Pear-cut Clear and Topaz Crystal Toggle Clasp Bracelet in Gold
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
A dazzling bracelet from Oscar de la Renta. Features pear-cut, honey-topaz colored crystals, accented with round-cut pink crystals. An extravagant design! Toggle clasp closure Hallm...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Massive Yellow Resin Bracelet Bangle with Carved Daisy Flowers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite lucite or resin bracelet bangle features a heavily domed, massive shape in a bright yellow color. The bangle is ornate with a carved design of daisy flowers and orange...
Oscar de la Renta Gold Poppy Flower 3D Statement Bangle Bracelet, Contemporary
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
Poppy flower bracelet by Oscar de la Renta. Gold-plated pewter hardware with magnetic closure. Poppy silhouette with brushed finish. Approx. 2.5"L x 2"W. Slip-on style. Made in USA. ...
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Oscar de la Renta Swarovski Crystal Fireworks Motif Statement Bracelet in Silver
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
Oscar de la Renta's fireworks necklace is decorated with star motifs, accented with sparkling clear Swarovski crystals. Silvertone. 16.5 inner circumference 5.5 cm - inner diameter...
Crystal
Sold
H 1.97 in Dm 2.25 in
Oscar de la Renta Silver Metallic Sphere Embellished Cluster Bangle Bracelet
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
Oscar de la Renta's big and bold bracelet featuring embellished metalic sphere clusters! Reflective, metallic silver tone. Inner circumference 16.5cm Inner diameter at widest part ...
Sold
H 2.13 in W 2.15 in
Oscar de la Renta Black Enamel and Crystal Bangle Bracelet in Silver, Geometric
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
A stunning Oscar de la Renta bangle bracelet, featuring raised black enamel and smoky gray crystals, set in a geometric pattern. A perfect accent for any style! Inner diameter at wi...
Crystal