born July 22, 1932, Santo Domingo, Dom.Rep.
Dominican-born U.S. fashion designer.
After studies in Santo Domingo and Madrid, he became staff designer for Cristobal Balenciaga in Madrid. He moved to New York City in 1962 and started his own company to produce women's ready-to-wear fashions. In 1973 he founded Oscar de la Renta Couture and expanded into household linens, menswear, and perfumes. In the 1970s he introduced the ethnic look with "Gypsy" and Russian themes; more recently he has produced romantic evening clothes in taffeta, chiffon, velvet, brocade, and fur. From 1993 to 2002 he designed couture for the house of Pierre Balmain .