Oscar de la Renta is one of America's most influential and important fashion designers, having received numerous design awards during his on-going career, and has been recognized internationally as a fashion symbol— in 1993 de la Renta designed a spring line for Balmain, making him the first American designer to design under a French couture house. Also having been a two-time winner of the Coty American Fashion Critics award.

 

Oscar de la Renta's career began during apprenticeship with the world's most renowned couturier Cristobal Balenciaga in Spain, and later de la Renta began work along side Antonio Castillo as a couture assistant for the house of Lanvin in Paris. Making his way back to America in 1963, de la Renta came to New York to design the couture collection for Elizabeth Arden. All which led to his solo career, which began in 1965, where he would finally work to create his signature pret-a-porter collections.

 

In this example, de la Renta has created a statuesque, columnar evening dress, fashioned from lush, black silk velvet, paired with whisper-light black silk chiffon, and vivid red satin. The satin is comprised of a pleated band which as been draped around the neck and flows across the bossom, ending at the back waistline—giving the dress a figure-flattering shape by drawing in the waist.

 

It's lined in silk, apart from the sheer sleeves, and fastens at the back with a zipper and hook-and-eye closeures. Labelled "Miss O by / Oscar de la Renta," and would have sold at the high-end Neiman Marcus department store in America. A dress that will make a goddess!

 

 

Measurements: Bust 35", Waist 25."

 

The condition is almost Excellent- some light bruising to the velvet.