Oscar Dela Renta's death is being mourned by the fashion industry after the renowned designer died from cancer Monday night at the age of 82.
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Oscar Dela Renta's death was confirmed by his family through a hand-written statement uploaded on the website of the Dominican-American fashion designer.
The statement, signed by his stepdaughter Eliza Reed Bolen and her husband Alex Bolen, said the Oscar Dela Renta's death was caused by cancer.
The fashion icon was surrounded by "family, friends and 'more than a few dogs'" when passed away at his home in Connecticut, said the The Hollywood Reporter.
His family's official statement read: "He died exactly as he lived: with tremendous grace, great dignity and very much on his own terms."
"While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much with us," the statement said.
Prior to Oscar Dela Renta's death, his designs have been admired by patrons such as Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. He is also the preferred designer of Hollywood stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Penelope Cruz and Kristen Stewart, said the The Hollywood Reporter.
One of the designer's most recent publicized creations was the wedding gown worn by George Clooney's wife, Amal Alamuddin, during their September wedding in Venice, Italy.
According to a report from Toronto Star, Oscar Dela Renta studied painting in Spain until he became an apprentice to Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga. The young artist was 18 when he then discovered his love for fashion design.
"Soon I found that I was more interested in fashion design than I was in continuing as an illustrator," Oscar Dela Renta narrated. "I think that any experience you have; anything you pay attention to is part of what I call the 'baggage' you carry with you all your life."
Oscar Dela Renta also explained his design influences to Toronto Star: "My early involvement with painting, even the fact that I come from a tropical country, are part of who and what I am today."
