Oscar de la Renta dressed some of the world’s most beautiful women. During his career that spanned six decades, the Dominican designer’s creations graced the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and most recently American First Lady Michelle Obama, and Amal Clooney. His vision was one of timeless elegance that transcended into the realm of beauty and sending models down the catwalk, season after season, with mannequin-perfect skin, glossy lips and cheeks, and the oh-so Oscar de la Renta updo, became a signature. In memory of his work, we pay homage to 20 of the best beauty looks from his runway shows since the beginning of the millennium.
Oscar de la Renta: A Runway Beauty Retrospective
Oscar de la Renta dressed some of the world’s most beautiful women. During his career that spanned six decades, the Dominican designer’s creations graced the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and most recently American First Lady Michelle Obama, and Amal Clooney. His vision was one of timeless elegance that transcended into the realm of beauty and sending models down the catwalk, season after season, with mannequin-perfect skin, glossy lips and cheeks, and the oh-so Oscar de la Renta updo, became a signature. In memory of his work, we pay homage to 20 of the best beauty looks from his runway shows since the beginning of the millennium.
Illustration by: Shamekh AlBluwi @shamekhbluwi
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2014 RTW The Look Perfect de la Renta Peachy cheeks and glossy lips were accentuated with a sleek updo and huge earrings.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2013 RTW The Look Ladylike but gone a little wild Cara Delevingne took to the runway with a bouffant chignon, complete with shocking pink streaks.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012 RTW The Look The headband heroines Candy-flosscolored cheeks, precision brows, and faux bob hairdos were topped off with jewel-encrusted satin headbands.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2012 RTW The Look Uptown girls Very polished—slicked down hair complete with a center parting and a side-swept bun tied with a ribbon. A dusting of rouge on the cheeks and a patent pink lip completed the glossy look.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012 RTW The Look Whimsical and wild Barely there makeup was topped off with Grace Coddington-esque frizzy locks. Flower crowns and a gleaming décolletage added a fairytale edge.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 RTW The Look Ballet chic A center-parted ballet bun was paired with a bronzed complexion and a sweeping of peacock shadow over the eyelids.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2010 RTW The Look Seventies gloss A nod to the Charlie’s Angels, va va voom curls was offset by burnt bronze eyeshadow swept right up to the eyebrows and a terracotta wet-look lip.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010 RTW The Look Bohemian braid A graphic cat eye painted with a liquid liner was softened with a Heidi-style braid interlaced with a chartreuse ribbon. Delicate peach fingertips added a feminine touch.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2009 RTW The Look Marie Antoinette bouffant Lily Aldridge was photographed with high hair, a soft smoky eyelid, and transparent pink, glossy lips.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2009 RTW The Look Hitchcock heroine A teased chignon was paired with chiseled peach cheeks and metallic bronze-rimmed eyes.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2008 RTW The Look Precision princess Poker straight locks with a mirror-like shine framed the face. While the lips were left nude, a bronze eyeshadow was accented with a golden metallic kohl pencil at the innermost corners of the eye.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2008 RTW The Look The tigress Jessica Stam sported the signature sleek updo tied at the nape of her neck. Intense, chocolate, smoky eyes were highlighted with liquid gold on the brow bone and across the top edge of the cheekbones.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2007 RTW The Look Undone elegance A windswept faux bob was paired with a slick of feline liquid eyeliner and a hint of rosy cheeks. We love how the makeup could be seen through the oversized shades.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2006 RTW The Look Undone elegance The undone updo gave a whimsical feel to this look. The contoured cheeks added an angular feeling to the face while the metallic silver eyeliner on the lower lash line gave a fairytale quality.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Spring 2006 RTW The Look Highschool sweetheart A high ponytail paired with a dusting of white eyeshadow and chalky, pink lips made for an innocent look.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2004 RTW The Look A flash of gold A completely bare face ensured that the liquid metal gold on the inner half of the eyeline took center stage.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2003 RTW The Look Warrior princess Alek Wek took to the runway with fuchsia-dusted cheeks and matching eyelids. Shimmering liquid lips and oversized earrings gave this bold makeup look a tribal feel.
The Show Oscar de la Renta Fall 2001 RTW The Look Elfin allure Straight and sleek side-swept locks were teamed with kohl-rimmed eyes. The entire look was softened with peach glossy lips, the go-to Oscar de la Renta lip shade.
Illustration by: Shamekh AlBluwi @shamekhbluwi
