Fashion WEEK? Fashion FOREVER... (an ode to Oscar de la Renta)

Oscar de la Renta’s name is synonymous with authentic grace and true sophistication and his spring 2009 RTW prevailed as evidence sustained.

In what is the ongoing subliminal conversation in our society regarding fashion—it's place in history, whether or not it is art, it's contribution to popular culture—de la Renta's is perhaps the brand relied upon for the tried, the true, and the proven.

When I was a little girl and my mother spoke of glamour, so often it was the work of Oscar de la Renta that we discussed. As a young woman now, I truly understand his gift of elegance.

Oscar de la Renta's spring 2009 collection, showcased during Fashion Week, was a show void of all the ballyhoos we see with so many rising fashion stars/artists. There was no evidence that de la Renta may in any way be surrendering to the budding competition amongst designers for artistic expressionism.

Even the makeup exuded sophistication—eyes in smoked out glamour, cheeks shimmering in subtle pink and lips in a color described as “antique gold”!

And the palate of the fabrics—black, camel brown, Kelly green, blush pink and true red—proved that there remains in fashion the presence of classic refinement.

Not to worry. Oscar de la Renta offered hints of his brilliant innovation as well--the classic pantsuit with it's relaxed-structure for example.

The show was Jackie O’s glamour defined (her sister Lee Radizwell was on the front row) and Vogue's Anna Wintour’s sophistication explained (she too sat immediate to the stage.)

But also, as proof to Oscar’s appeal to us in younger generations who are sometimes less impressed by what’s hot and more by what is timeless, so sat Genevieve Jones and even Jennifer "J-Lo" Lopez (one of my personal style icons) up close.

Remember how Jenna Bush requested de la Renta to design her wedding gown this past spring? How evidence was that?

If grace were given a scent and elegance a smell, that would describe the imagined aroma present during Oscar de la Renta's show. It was—as is his legacy—pure, refreshing, timeless and beautiful.

Love!

P. Marie