Before I begin with what the world considers fashion forward during these chilly months ahead, let’s reflect on the passing of one of fashion’s great pioneers, the influential Oscar de la Renta.

The fashion world has lost one of their Fathers of Fashion. Oscar de la Renta died from complications due to cancer on October 20, 2014 in Kent, Connecticut. He was 82 years old. Oscar de la Renta was considered one of the founders and principal authorities of what is appropriate style since the 1950’s when he began his career in Franco’s Spain.

Oscar Aristedes de la Renta was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on July 22, 1932. He was the youngest of seven children, the only boy and quite pampered by his family. He credits his fashion influence to his many sisters. At 19, Oscar persuaded his mother to send him to Madrid on a passenger ship to study art although his father wanted him to go into the insurance business. He studied painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid where he began his career illustrating for newspapers and fashion houses. His big break came when the wife of the United States ambassador to Spain saw his illustrations. In 1956, she asked if Mr. de la Renta would be interested in designing a coming-out dress for her daughter Beatrice. That fall the debutante appeared on the cover of Life Magazine wearing Oscar’s design.

After making a name for himself in Europe, Mr. de la Renta launched his clothing line in 1965 based in New York and clothed some of histories elite women, spanning decades, from First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush to Michelle Obama and celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Penélope Cruz to Amal (wife of George Clooney), who wore an Oscar de la Renta original wedding gown as she said “I do” to the worlds ultimate bachelor.

Oscar de la Renta will be remembered for his sense of humor, wit, love of music and dance, fragrance line and kind disposition as well as dressing the female form with his wonderful sense of fashion. “Being well dressed hasn’t much to do with having good clothes. It’s a question of good balance and good common sense.”

Let’s squeeze in a bit of fall fashion! According to Glamour Magazine, prints in leopard, animal motifs, and plaids are big this season. “Matchy-Matchy sets make getting dressed in the morning way easier!” Colors to add to your fall wardrobe, “In addition to blue, orange is another hot color for the season…there are different shades for every skin tone—from juicy, bold brights to subdued, muted hues.” As well as, “mint greens, pastel pinks, baby blues fit right in for fall. Work sumptuous coats, slim pants, or midiskirts in these lovely hues.” The long boxy jacket trend and capes will keep you stylish and warm this fall season. “Throw an oversize wrap coat over a multitude of layers, or go the streamlined route and team it with slim-cut trousers and a thin turtleneck.” As for accessories, menswear-inspired oxfords are paired with pants and skirts for an ultra modern look. Embossed statement bags “allow you to make a statement without saying a word.”

 Quote of the day:

“Every season I am inspired by women.”

~Oscar de la Renta, a designer devoted to dressing from couture socialites to ladies-who-lunch.

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