Sister Moses

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta passed away at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be timeless. He was a gentleman; gallant and extraordinary. These are the words that come to mind when Oscar de la Renta is mentioned. A man so great, he could make ordinary women feel extraordinary in his creations. 

He had experience in fashion which would be any budding designer's dream resume. Oscar de la Renta was born in Santo Domingo in the early 1930s. He moved to Spain at the age of 19, where he worked with Balenciaga, followed by an offer to work at Christian Dior. He turned down the position to work Lanvin for two years, evetually making his way to America, the land of opportunity. He started working Elizabeth Arden for a few years, followed by Jane Derby and Balman. After getting sufficient experience, he made his entree as a courtier in the 1990s. 

He has dressed many first ladies, Jacqueline Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush, and many high profile celebrities like Sara Jessica Parker, and the recent Mrs. George Clooney. 

My favorite collection is his fall/winter 1992. It is still as glamorous and relevant as it was then. Just like his work, he was and will always remain timeless. 

Five Lessons Entrepreneurs can Learn from Him: 

1. Focus. "If you wear a different perfume every day, I do not recognize you."- Oscar de la Renta

2. Be personable. "The qualities I most admire in a women confidence and kindness". - Oscar de la Renta

3. Be true to yourself. "Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself."- Oscar de la Renta

4. Offer something useful. "I want to make clothes that people will wear, not styles that will make a bla splash on the runway."- Oscar de la Renta

5. Be inspired. "I am inspired by women." - Oscar de la Renta

Entrepreneurship can be a difficult and lonely road. Every entrepreneur should identify his or her source of inspiration, to maintain motivation and retain passion. 

"Never, ever confuse what happens on the runway with fashion. A runway is a spectacle. It's only fashion when a woman puts it on. Being well dressed hasn't much to do with having good clothes. It's a question of good balance and common sense." - Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta, you made women feel and look beautiful. 

Thank you. 

Rest in peace.