Stars bid adieu to Oscar de la Renta
NEW YORK - The fashion world mourned the loss of one of its greatest designers on Monday at the private funeral of Oscar de la Renta, who died last month at 82 after battling cancer.
The tall Dominican-born de la Renta dressed New York socialites, Hollywood stars and American first ladies during a career that spanned five decades.
Former U.S. Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Hillary Clinton, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Vogue magazine Editor in Chief Anna Wintour spoke during the service at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Designers Valentino, Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan, director Mike Nichols and his journalist wife Diane Sawyer, newswoman Barbara Walters, photographer Annie Leibovitz and actor Hugh Jackman were among the invited guests.
Fans and photographers were kept behind police barricades that stretched a city block at the imposing church on Park Avenue.
“He was an icon and a guru of fashion and a wonderful man who changed people’s lives in fashion,” said 44-year-old Kim Wolfe of Manhattan as guests arrived for the service.
De la Renta died at his home in Connecticut on Oct. 20, surrounded by his family, friends and more than a few dogs. As news of his death spread, fellow designers, Hollywood stars and former first ladies whom he dressed expressed their condolences.
De la Renta’s designs were known for their detail, fabrics and embroideries. His classic creations ranged from fitted suits to pastel and floral print dresses to elaborate, flowing ball gowns that were favorites on the red carpet.
Actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner, Tina Fey, Cameron Diaz and Oprah Winfrey chose his gowns for award ceremonies.
Most recently, de la Renta created the lace, off-the-shoulder wedding gown worn by London-based human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin for her September wedding to actor George Clooney in Venice, Italy. Reuters
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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