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Oscar De La Renta Banner

July 19, 2014 - October 5, 2014

Oscar De La Renta: Five Decades of Style Exhibit was a major retrospective of legendary American fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, celebrating his inspiring life and exploring his significant award-winning career from its origins to his most recent, and what would sadly become his last, runway and red-carpet masterpieces.

I HAVE ALWAYS FELT MY ROLE AS A DESIGNER IS TO DO THE VERY BEST I CAN FOR A WOMAN TO MAKE HER LOOK HER BEST. FASHION IS ONLY FASHION ONCE A WOMAN PUTS IT ON.

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Hot Pink Garden Dress

The show featured over 60 garments in a wide range of silhouettes from elegant daywear to romantic ball gowns that highlighted de la Renta’s richly layered aesthetic and showcased the designer’s meticulous hand and mastery of his craft consistently revealed over five decades on the pages of the world’s most important fashion and lifestyle magazines.

 

The exhibition offered visitors an opportunity to examine, through Oscar de la Renta’s designs, the unique role of the First Lady as our country’s official hostess to world leaders and diplomats and as a trendsetter in style, fashion, and entertaining.

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First Ladies Dresses 2
Daywear and evening dresses worn by Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Reagan were on display.
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Mrs. Laura Bush Inaugural Gown
Highlights included clothing worn by her daughters, Barbara and Jenna, whose wedding dress was on display, as well as Mrs. Laura Bush’s second inaugural day and evening ensembles.
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Garden Style Dresses
Mr. de la Renta used floral themes throughout his work, from intricately embellished flower embroideries and appliques to bright botanical prints. Dresses in bursts of color were featured in the exhibit to highlight de la Renta's love of gardens.
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Oscar de la Renta dresses - Spanish influence
The art, culture, and dress of Spain influenced Mr. de la Renta’s style – illustrated in the exhibit through his use of lace, color, and embellishment reminiscent of traditional Matador costumes.
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Fur Sleeved Dress
This exhibit featured silhouettes and embellishments that reflected countries including Russia, India, and Uzbekistan.
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Red Carpet Dresses
From such A-list events as the Oscars, the Country Music Awards, and the Met Gala, the exhibition featured stunning evening gowns designed by de la Renta for America’s most acclaimed celebrities including Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Swift.

Related Galleries

 

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State Dinner press preview for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in State Dining Room, May 7, 2007.

Dining & Diplomacy

Presidents have long used social events to foster diplomatic ties. The menus and photographs selected for this exhibit illustrate the wide range of social and diplomatic events hosted by President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
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