Tribute To Iconic Fashion Designer, Oscar De La Renta

American fashion designer Oscar de la Renta has died, aged 82, at his home in Conneticut. A handwritten statement, which is signed by his stepdaughter and her husband, Eliza Reed Bolen and Alex Bolen, reads: "While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much us. Oscar's hard work, his intelligence and his love of life are at the heart of our company. All that we have done, and all that we will do, is informed by his values and his spirit. Through Oscar's example we know the way forward. We will make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work that Oscar loved so much."

Oscar de la Renta has been in the industry for five decades - from dressing First Lady Jackie Kennedy in the 60s to most recently designing Amal Alamuddin's wedding dress. He was awarded the lifetime achievement award of the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2013. Almost every star has had an Oscar de la Renta moment from Audrey Hepburn to Taylor Swift. The designer will be remembered for dressing a number of First Ladies, including Hillary Clinton, Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama.

Oscar de la Renta was the godfather of New York high society fashion, spanning generations of women of taste and style. jBefore Oscar, New York’s designers bought patterns from French couturiers and put the names of their stores inside any clothes. Oscar changed that, becoming a fully-fledged designer in his own right. His signatures – light, refined and ultra-feminine – have since become the epitome of Uptown elegance: all-American in their consideration for the wearer but with an eye for softness and sophisticated surface embellishment that rivals the great French couture houses.'