By Madison Huntington
The death of Oscar De La Renta was not just devastating, it was an end of an era; an end of inspiration and opportunity. Mr. De La Renta expressed his talents from dressing Jackie Kennedyto Sarah Jessica Parker along with other inspirational women with a well known name. Oscar De La Renta first wanted to be anabstract artist. When he found his talent and passion in design, he could not be stopped. He claimed he had “a romance with color” which was evident in everything he designed. Mr. De La Renta taught young women how to be ladies. He said “Elegance is a discipline of life.” He watched and taught young women such as Karlie Kloss become a beautiful classy woman instead of just being a pretty model with long legs and a poor attitude. “The world lost one of the most extraordinary people that i have ever met. Thank you for helping me become the woman I am today and for always inspiring me to be better. there simply is no one else like you.” said by Karlie Kloss. Oscar De La Renta believed in women having power over themselves and holding themselves in composure. “Walk like you have 3 men behind you” he said. He wanted women to not just have a pretty face; he wanted a woman to feel confident in herself and with an attitude to draw people in.
Oscar De La Renta believed that everyone is in charge of their own destiny. He once said “Things never happen on accident. They happen because you have a vision, you have a commitment, you have a dream.” He was originally from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. He was hardworking and proved that you can become what you want to be no matter the circumstances. All the way from Punta Cana came a man who changed fashion forever. Model Coco Rocha said “Today fashion lost one of the greatest couturiers of the last century. I’m forever grateful to have had the chance to wear his creations and ill always remember Mr. De La Renta as a gentleman and a class act. Oscar was never afraid to speak his mind or share his point of view- whether that be on the runway or on the written page. he was a pillar of New York fashion and will be sorely missed.”
Mr. De La Renta did not only influence those sitting at the front row of his shows. He has influenced the creative driven students of Williamsville East High School. As many of us who plan to find a career in fashion we have studied him and found inspiration in him. The “Gentleman of fashion,” said by Naomi Campbell, has left us to take what we have learned from him and interpret it in our own ways. On October 20, 2014, we lost an iconic man. “We live in an era of globalization and the era of the women. Never in the history of the world have women been more in control of their destiny.” His words and inspiration will always be a basis for any designer.
