It was sad this week, to hear the news of designer Oscar De La Renta passing. As someone who was inspired greatly by his beautiful gowns, I wanted to create a little post today that shared some of my favourites, along with some of the words he shared about fashion and life.

Oscar De La Renta was born in the Dominian Republic in 1932, his love of art and fashion began with studying painting in Spain where he realised his love of fashion. He spent much time working with ready to wear and couture designers Cristóbal Balenciaga, Lanvin, and Antonio del Castillo. He began his own ready to wear label in 1963. Bridal wear soon followed along with homewares, fragrance, jewellery and even shoes.

His iconic, beautiful gowns have always made a statement when they've graced the red carpet (who can forget the Oscar De La Renta frock Carrie wore while eating french fries in Paris?). The feminine detail and the sophisticated glamour always winning red carpet favourites.

The label will live on through the brand's creative director Peter Copping, but I will miss the wisdom and grace of Oscar De La Renta himself. What a legacy and a piece of beauty he has left the world.

"There is always an emotional element to anything that you make."

"My designs are known for their beautiful ornamentation, details, fabrics, and embroideries - which are never more important than on a wedding dress." "Being well dressed hasn't much to do with having good clothes. It's a question of good balance and good common sense."

"I like light, color, luminosity. I like things full of color and vibrant." "Any girl from any walk of life dreams of that special dress, and I try to make that dream a reality for her." "My job as a designer is to make a woman feel her very best." "Style begins by looking good naked. It's a discipline. And if you don't dress well every day, you lose the habit. It's not about what you wear, but about how you live your life." Images from Oscar De La Renta, Backstage images by Nina Garcia via Oscar De La Renta