Fashion

These Oscar De La Renta Quotes Will Remind Us What A Quirky, Talented Genius He Was

Out of all the fashion designers in the world, there are few as recognizable on the red carpet as Oscar de la Renta. His big, unapologetic silhouettes frequented best dressed lists. Rich colors and structured taffeta were his signatures, perfectly complimenting all the drama of Hollywood. On Monday evening, Oscar de la Renta died at age 82, leaving behind an enormous fashion legacy.

Aside from his jaw-dropping gowns, he had a fantastic way with words, and a quirky sense of humor. Here, some of his most memorable quotes about fashion, technology, and his desire to create the most beautiful gowns on the planet.

On Personal Style

“Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself.”

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On His Design Aesthetic

“I want to make clothes that people will wear, not styles that will make a big splash on the runway.”

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On Everyday Wear

“I don’t really know how to do casual clothes.”

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On His Favorite Sound

“There is no sound more feminine than a woman in a taffeta dress.”

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On Social Media

“Although I have no plans to tweet, I am fascinated by developments on the Internet.”

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On Each Of His Gowns

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

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On Dramatic Designs

“I am not interested in shock tactics. I just want to make beautiful clothes.”

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On His Inspiration

“Every season I am inspired by women.”

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On Confidence

“You have to walk like you have three men walking behind you.”

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On The Importance Of A Signature Scent

“If you wear a different perfume every day, I do not recognize you.”

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On His Respect For Women

“The qualities I most admire in women are confidence and kindness.”

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On Why He Loved His Job

“My job as a designer is to make a woman feel her very best.”

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On The Dynamics Of Fashion

“The great thing about fashion, is that it always moves forward.”

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On His Favorite Pastimes

“Dominos, bridge…I love to compete. And rules were made to be broken.”

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And His Hobbies

“Gardening is how I relax. It’s another form of creating and playing with colors.”

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On His Daily Wardrobe

“I see people in a colorful shirt and I think, My God, I would really love to wear that, but then I am afraid that when I walk into the door, the host will say, ‘I’m sorry, but the Latin band walks through that other door.’”

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On Feminism

“When I started, the woman went to the store to buy a dress. She saw it in pink and red, and then she remembered that the husband, who is probably going to pay for the dress, loves it in pink. So she buys the pink. Today, the same woman goes to the store and remembers the husband likes pink, and she buys the red.”

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On Fashion Week

"“Never, ever confuse what happens on a runway with fashion. A runway is spectacle."

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