Questions about the Dominican-born designer who dressed First Ladies and the red carpet, and his house today, answered from Ayerhs’s Oscar de la Renta guide and A–Z.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 31 October 2026
On this page: The designer · The house today · The Ayerhs view
The designer
Who was Oscar de la Renta?
A designer born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1932. He trained under Cristóbal Balenciaga in Madrid and worked at Lanvin in Paris before moving to New York, where he launched his own label in the mid-1960s. He also designed couture for Pierre Balmain in the 1990s. He died in 2014.
Read on Ayerhs: Oscar de la Renta – The complete guide · A–Z of Oscar de la Renta · Balenciaga · Balmain
What is the Oscar de la Renta style?
Ladylike glamour: full-skirted ball gowns, embroidery, florals and bold colour, made to flatter. He dressed generations of American First Ladies and countless red-carpet stars, and his gowns remain a bridal favourite.
The house today
Who has designed Oscar de la Renta since his death?
| Designer | Years |
|---|---|
| Peter Copping | 2014–2016 |
| Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia | 2016–2025 |
Who is the creative director of Oscar de la Renta now?
Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, who also run their own label Monse, announced their departure in September 2025. As of October 2026, the house has not named a new creative director, and its in-house design team is leading the collections. We will update this answer when a successor is announced.
The Ayerhs view
Why does Oscar de la Renta matter?
Because he brought European couture technique to American fashion and made glamour feel generous rather than intimidating. The house’s next designer will inherit one of the clearest identities in New York.