By Danielle Strohm
Legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta has died at the age of 82.
A statement from de la Renta’s company executives Eliza Reed and Alex Bolen says the designer passed away at his Connecticut home surrounded by family, friends and dogs. ABC News first confirmed the loss from an individual at the house who was taking calls.
Born in the Dominican Republic, he left to study art in Spain at the age of 18. He was soon sidetracked by fashion and landed an apprenticeship with Cristobal Balenciaga. In 1963 he went to New York and was working for Elizabeth Arden Couture. de la Renta launched his own label in 1965.
Since then, many celebrities, politicians and other prominent figures wore his designs over the years.
More recently de la Renta designed the wedding dress for Amal Clooney.
Behind the scenes of Amal Clooney’s wedding dress fitting with the legendary Oscar de la Renta: http://t.co/XPKoMB6S06
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) October 21, 2014
We look at social media reaction about the death of de la Renta.
Editor in Chief of Vogue Anna Wintour wrote her memories of de la Renta for the magazine’s website.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour and de la Renta during New York Fashion Week 2012. Photo by Carlo Allegri/Reuters
“Oscar was everything you could want a friend to be.” Anna Wintour remembers the legend: http://t.co/c0WiaWdI2e — Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) October 21, 2014
Fellow designers paid tribute to the legendary designer.
A photo posted by DVF (@dvf) on
Truly saddened by the loss of one of the greatest fashion icons of all time. Oscar de la Renta will be greatly missed.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 21, 2014
Loss of a legend #oscardelarenta with #natyabascal #rip
A photo posted by @zac_posen on
Taylor Swift wore a de la Renta gown to 2014 MET gala payed tribute on Instagram.
Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker also wore a de la Renta gown to the gala.
Thank you for the memories Mr de la Renta. X, sj
A photo posted by SJP (@sarahjessicaparker) on
More celebrities posted their tributes to the designer.
#OscardelaRenta I am thankful to have met such a beautiful human being. pic.twitter.com/SiR09WYsa0
— Kristin Davis (@KristinDavis) October 21, 2014
Me and the legendary Oscar DeLaRenta… Rest in peace…You will be missed.
A photo posted by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on
Oscar De La Renta was one of the first designers to dress me, he was a sweet, humble human being. U will be missed m… http://t.co/tUKecmGBFS
— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) October 21, 2014
Former First Lady of the United States Laura Bush posted a statement on Facebook.
Laura’s daughter, Jenna Bush Hagen, posted a design sketch from de la Renta.
I’m thinking of this man today and my heart is broken. So honored that I knew and loved him. pic.twitter.com/WsMcRpXimo
— Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) October 21, 2014