BANGALORE : Author Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat Pray Love fame mourned designer Oscar de la Renta thus, "I never had princess fantasies as a young girl. I dressed like a boy forever. My first wedding dress cost $200, and my second wedding dress wasn't even a dress. But then my life changed, and suddenly I was invited to EVENTS, and I needed pretty dresses. I bought an Oscar de la Renta gown to wear to the premiere of Eat Pray Love and I had never felt so beautiful. I never even knew that I wanted to feel that beautiful. I have been wearing his dresses ever since, and each time it makes a special day into a SPECIAL DAY. I was so saddened today to hear of his passing. From all reports, he was not just a gifted man, but an extraordinarily kind one. Thank you, Oscar, for having made a lady out of me." She is not alone in articulating that sentiment. Oscar de la Renta designed with great insight for several Hollywood stars like Penélope Cruz and Sandra Bullock for more than four decades. He knew that women did not just want to feel beautiful. They wanted to feel happy in their skins, in their bodies. And he made them feel exactly that. Like Gilbert said, " Thank you, our dear departed Mr de la Renta, for having made the "costumes" that have given me 90 per cent of the confidence I've needed for my tours. As for the other 10 per cent? That's just me, faking it till I make it."
The designer who died at his home on October 20 leaves behind a rich legacy of style and his contributions to the world of fashion will always be remembered.