World renowned fashion designer Oscar de la Renta passed away after his battle with cancer. The fashion icon was 82 years old when he died which was confirmed with The New York Times.
Actor George Clooney's wife, lawyer Amal Alamuddin was one of de la Renta's last famous clients before he passed. De la Renta had designer Alamuddin's wedding gown just last month.
Last year, the Dominican-born designer revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer. According to de la Renta at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), he spoke of his battle, saying, "Yes, I had cancer. Right now, I am totally clean. 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."
Óscar Arístides de la Renta Fiallo, born in 1932, was trained by Cristobal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo. He became known worldwide in the 1960s as one of the couturiers to dress Jacqueline Kennedy who is the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. De la Renta is also an award-winning designer and worked for Lanvin and Balmain.
Aside from his awards and passion for fashion, De la Renta was also active in charitable works. He founded the Casa del Niño orphanage in La Romana and contributed in the construction of a school near his home at the Punta Cana Resort and Club in Punta Cana.
De la Renta has also contributed to several charitable institutions such as New Yorkers for Children, the America's Society.
Last February 2014, the late designer recreated his entire Spring presentation called Designed for A Cure 2014 collection to help raise money for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
De la Renta lost his battle with cancer on October 20, 2014, at his home in Kent, Connecticut. He was diagnosed with a form of gastric cancer in 2006 to which he underwent chemo.
De La Renta is survived by his second wife Annette Engelhard de la Renta.
