Fashion SL: Oscar de la Renta

As most people are dusting off their winter coats and boots, in New York, the fashion community is already presenting the styles for NEXT fall…as in 2012! The fashion world is one that is in perpetual motion – always forward.

There are fundamentally four seasons presented each year by the top designers. They are called resort, spring, pre-fall and fall. I’m baffled by the fact that each of the four fashion seasons isn’t named after the real seasons. Doesn’t it make sense, if you’re going to show four collections a year, to designate them your spring, summer, fall and winter collections? After all, the resort collections are essentially summer collections, fall collections are essentially winter collections, and pre-fall collections are essentially fall collections. What’s with all the confusing nomenclature? I’m just sayin’…

That said, I love having the opportunity to drool over fabulous clothes four times a year!

Speaking of drooling, one of my all-time favorite designers is Oscar de la Renta. I’ve had the remarkable opportunity to meet him on several occasions and can I just say that he is as amazing and wonderful and kind as one would imagine him to be. He is the consummate gentleman who is generous, charming and also happens to have a great sense of humor.

On Monday, he presented his Pre-fall 2012 collection. Wowza. I’m by amazed how season after season, year after year, he continues to absolutely shine. I think that one of the reasons his collections are always so outstanding is that Oscar doesn’t really go for trends, nor does he set them. Instead, he utilizes his laser-precise knowledge both of his customer base and of women generally to give them exactly what they want: beautiful clothes that inspire. How’s that for a Fashion Silver Lining?

In this collection, as in most of his collections, the looks are elegant yet infinitely wearable. Models showcased designs in beautiful floral hues from saffron yellow and orange to fuchsia and burgundy or maroon, with a good measure of dark reds and the occasional cobalt blue.

Here are some of my favorite looks from the collection:

Here are a couple of my treasured photos of me with Mr. de la Renta.

This photo is from an event at his boutique in New York. The HOTY (a.k.a. Husband of the Year) surprised me with attending the event. Our beloved dog had just died (I’m not wearing any makeup because I had been crying for days prior). Meeting Mr. de la Renta is the ONLY thing that could have put a smile on my face. Clearly, I was beaming.

This photo is from the Costume Institute Gala of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. I have never, in my life, felt as pretty as I did on this evening. And standing with Oscar was the ultimate Silver Lining.

I’m a very restless person. I’m always doing something. The creative process never stops.

– Oscar de la Renta