World-renowned fashion designer Oscar de la Renta died at 82 after battling cancer.
A family member of de la Renta confirmed to ABC News that the designer passed away in his Connecticut home. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and had battled it ever since. He's survived by his second wife Annette Reed, his son, Moises, and step-children and step-grandchildren. De la Renta's first wife Francois de Langlade, a French editor for Vogue, died in 1983.
The fashion designer is known for his red carpet and wedding gowns. One of his recent designs was Amal Clooney's wedding gown. "George and I wanted a wedding that was romantic and elegant, and I can't imagine anyone more able than Oscar to capture this mood in a dress," Clooney told Vogue.
Born in the Dominican Republic, de la Renta moved to Madrid when he was 18 to study painting at the Academy of San Fernando. He became an apprentice to Cristobal Balenciaga and also worked for Lanvin and Balmain. From 1993 to 2002, he became the first Domican to be a designer in a French couture house when he designed Balmain's haute couture collection.
Oscar de la Renta expanded his brand into bridal wear in 2006. He also released his own perfume collection namen OSCAR in 1977, and an accessory line in 2001. Besides stars and celebrities, the designer grew his line to reach the common masses by launching the affordable O Oscar collection.
In his lifetime, de la Renta received numerous design awards. He won the Coty Award, the Oscars equivalent in the fashion world, in 1967 and 1968. He also won the America Fashion Critic's Award twice, and was inducted to the hall of fame in 1973. The French government also awarded the designer with the Légion d'honneur as a Commandeur.
In a Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) even last year, de la Renta said, "The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die. We always think we are going to live forever. The dying aspect we will never accept. The one thing about having this kind of warning is how you appreciate every single day of life."
