Fashion Designer Oscar de la Renta Dies Aged 82

Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta at his last runway show in September. Photo: Getty Images.

Acclaimed fashion designer Oscar de la Renta has passed away after battling cancer, it is being reported.

"Oscar de la Renta was American fashion royalty," says Jackie Frank, publisher and editor of marie claire.

"He was enormously respected and well-loved. I met him when I was living in America in the early nineties. He was an absolute gentleman – elegant, charming and debonair."

Known for his evening wear and couture, de la Renta catered to both American high society and the A-list.

"The way he saw women was very beautiful," says Frank. "He reigned over the red carpet for decades."

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The news of the designer's passing comes after de la Renta had appointed Peter Copping as the Creative Director of the brand just a week ago.

The Dominican Republic native first became famous in the 60s, and was among the designers whose clothes were worn by Jacqueline Kennedy.

More recently, his famous fans included Michelle Obama and Amal Alamuddin, who wore a gown designed by him to her wedding earlier this month.

More details to follow.

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