The name Oscar de la Renta is synonymous with enduring originality in fashion, and his work deeply influenced other designers throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Vintage Oscar de la Renta evening dresses and gowns — which often feature ruffles, dazzling prints, vibrant colors and dramatic silhouettes — exude elegant sophistication and femininity, while his exquisite scarves and shoes rounded out his sought-after collections.
De la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic in 1932. He was the youngest of seven children, the rest of whom were girls. At the age of 18, he left home for Madrid and studied painting at the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts. A natural talent for illustration earned him an apprenticeship with the legendary Spanish fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga.
In 1961, de la Renta visited Paris, where he was hired as a couture assistant at Lanvin. Less than two years later, he moved to New York City. He designed a ready-to-wear collection for Elizabeth Arden and partnered with Jane Derby. He also began designing dresses for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. When Derby died in 1965, the label was named after de la Renta (he took full control in the 1970s). Shortly after, he married an editor-in-chief of French Vogue, Françoise de Langlade, whose own career in fashion began at Elsa Schiaparelli’s fashion house.
De la Renta served as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America from 1973–76, and again from 1986–88. In 1981, the tradition of de la Renta dressing First Ladies continued. He quickly became one of Nancy Reagan’s favorite designers (as well as her lifelong friend).
De la Renta expanded his clothing lines throughout the 1990s but kept true to his feminine, polished style. He also continued to design for the First Ladies of the United States, and his pieces were worn by both Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. At Balmain, de la Renta was the first Dominican to design for a French couture house.
Over the course of his career, de la Renta earned the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, the Coty Award and the Fragrance Foundation’s Perennial Success Award. He passed away in 2014.
In 2015, the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Fashion + Film showcased more than 80 of de la Renta's gowns at its inaugural exhibit.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Oscar de la Renta suits, blouses, accessories and handbags.
Oscar de la Renta Gold Tone Flower Clip-On Drop Earrings, Vintage
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Krakow, PL
Oscar de la Renta Flower Clip-On Earrings – Gold Condition: Very Good (minor signs of wear, slight fading of material) Description: Elegant flower-shaped clip-on earrings in gold ton...
$316Sale Price|20% Off
Oscar de la Renta Gold Plated Light Amethyst Crystal Rectangle Drop Post Earring
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Oscar de la Renta gold plated light amethyst Swarovski crystal drop post earrings with emerald-cut rectangular crystals. Luxury designer jewelry. Elegant statement pieces. Made in US...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
New Oscar de la Renta Gold Rhinestone Drop Pendant Hoop Pierced Earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Diego, CA
New OSCAR DE LA RENTA gold drop pendant hoop pierced earrings! Features a drop pendant down the center hoop with a large gold rhinestone. Both pieces signed on the back, and are not ...
Oscar de la Renta Runway Dangle Earrings Gunmetal Grey Enamel Haute Couture
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in New York, NY
THESE ARE FABULOUS ORIGINAL OSCAR DE LA RENTA HAUTE COUTURE RUNWAY DANGLE DROP EARRINGS OF SUPERB QUALITY STYLE AND IMPACT! THE EARRINGS HAVE THREE ARTICULATED DROPS WITH STUNNING ...
Enamel, Gilt Metal
$161Sale Price|30% Off
OSCAR DE LA RENTA clear enamel acrylic ball drop statement earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA clear enamel acrylic ball drop statement earrings Reference: TGAS/C01282 Brand: Oscar de la Renta Model: Drop ball earrings Color: Clear, Silver Pattern: Solid Clos...
Enamel
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Oscar de la Renta Open Hoop and Dangling Monkey Post Earrings in Gold
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
A bold and bright pair of open hoop earrings by Oscar de la Renta. Each earring features a dangling "hear no evil" money. Post backs. Hallmarks: Oscar de la Renta, Made in USA Hoop ...
Gold Plate
Oscar de la Renta Gold Calla Lily Dangle Earrings, White and Green Enamel
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
Flower chic dangle earrings by Oscar de la Renta. A pair of golden calla lilies painted in white and green enamel. Gold plated. Post backs. Drop / dangle style. Get the matching ri...
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ginkgo Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold ginkgo leaf earrings. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special de...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona White Diamond White Gold Hoop Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold diamond hoop earrings set with 84 white diamonds, F color, VVS1 clarity, for total 3 carats. Alex Jona jewel...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Tassel Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Massive Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Tassel Earrings of ruby pastes, faux amber, faceted jet caps with ruby silk tassels. Clip back fittings. 1970's Haute Couture unsigned. YSL Chinese...
Gilt Metal
Oscar de la Renta Faux Tahitian Pearl Jeweled Fly Dangling Earring
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
Lavish pair of earrings from Oscar de la Renta. A fly accented with black and grey crystals hang off a faux Tahitian pearl. Gold plated. Hallmarks: Oscar de la Renta, Made in USA
Crystal, Gold Plate
$1,950 / item
Linear Hoop Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Handcrafted from 14-karat gold, these beautiful linear hoop drop earrings are set with .49 carats of sparkling diamonds. Also available in yellow gold. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefr...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,500
H 1.46 in W 0.55 in D 0.18 in
Antique Victorian Diamond and Black Enamel Drop Dangle Yellow Gold Earrings
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Beautiful pair of Victorian drop earrings made of 10k yellow gold with black enamel accents and single cut diamonds. The post is attached to a gold flower with black enamel petals a...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$488Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.5 in D 0.375 in L 4 in
Oscar de la Renta Rainbow Swarovski Crystal Articulated Linear Post Earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Oscar de la Renta rainbow Swarovski crystal articulated linear post earrings. Contemporary luxury designer jewelry. 4" statement pieces. Made in USA. Oscar de la Renta rainbow Swaro...
Crystal, Mixed Metal, Brass
$200Sale Price|20% Off
D 2.9 in Dm 1.9 in
Oscar de la Renta Gold Coral and Pearl Dangle Hoop Earrings, Contemporary
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
A pair of hoop earrings by Oscar de la Renta, accented with dangling enameled coral and faux pearls. Add a golden glow to your outfit! Gold plated. Hallmarks: Oscar de la Renta, Ma...
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Emerald Green Faceted Glass Drop Screw Back Earrings
Located in London, GB
Beautiful Art Deco silver tone earrings featuring lovely emerald green faceted glass drops. They have screw back fittings. Measuring length 4.6 cm / 1.8 inches. This pair of stylish Art Deco emerald green glass earrings...
Oscar de la Renta 1980s Brass Modernist Dangle Earrings with Crystals
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic, preowned vintage Oscar de la Renta modernist dangle earrings, likely dating to the 1980s. Crafted in brass-hued metal, this striking pair features an elegant sculptural si...
Crystal
Sold
W 1.5 in D 0.125 in L 2.5 in
Oscar de la Renta Original 22k Gold Plated Lily Pad Post Drop Statement Earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Oscar de la Renta Gold-Tone Water Lily Leaf Post Earrings - Timeless Elegance Add a touch of nature-inspired elegance to your jewelry collection with these Oscar de la Renta gold-to...
22k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Mixed Metal
OSCAR DE LA RENTA black beaded crystal double ball drop clip on earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA black beaded crystal double ball drop clip on earrings Reference: TGAS/C01475 Brand: Oscar de la Renta Material: Plastic Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Clip O...
OSCAR DE LA RENTA orange crystal faux pearl tassel drop clip on earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA orange crystal faux pearl tassel drop clip on earrings Reference: TGAS/C01477 Brand: Oscar de la Renta Material: Plastic Col...
OSCAR DE LA RENTA gold sequin bead embellished leaf statement earring
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA gold sequin bead embellished leaf statement earring Reference: TGAS/C01273 Brand: Oscar de la Renta Model: sequin leaf earring Material: Fabric Color: Gold Pattern:...
Gold
OSCAR DE LA RENTA red coral branch crystal faux pearl droplet pin earrings pair
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA red coral branch metal crystal faux pearl droplet pin earrings pair Reference: AAWC/A01072 Brand: Oscar de la Renta Material: Metal, Fau...
new OSCAR DE LA RENTA clear enamel acrylic ball drop statement earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
new OSCAR DE LA RENTA clear enamel acrylic ball drop statement earrings Reference: TGAS/C01282 Brand: Oscar De La Renta Model: Drop ball earrings Color: Clear, Silver Pattern: Solid ...
Enamel
Oscar De La Renta Pair Of Gold Plated White Flowers Earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Oscar De La Renta pair of drop earrings. It depicts a white flowers made of resin in gold plated prong setting. They are adorned with two gold plated leaves enhanced with ...
Gold Plate
'90s Gilded Etruscan Paisley & Baroque Pearl Drop Earrings By Oscar de la Renta
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '90s - Each earring measures approx 2.5" tall - Gold plated - Gray moonglow glass cabochons - Authentic baroque pear...
Pearl
Oscar De La Renta Faux Pearls and Pink Crystals Runway Necklace and Earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Montreal, QC
Stunning signed Oscar de la Renta Faux Pearl and Pink Crystal Necklace and matching Earrings with the Designer Signature; necklace measures approx. Approx. 20" long; Markings: signat...
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
Signed Oscar de la Renta Faux Pearl and Crystal Designer Necklace and Earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Signed Oscar de la Renta Faux Pearl Collar Necklace embellished with tiny crystals and matching Earrings. Necklace measures approx. 14" long with 1” extender. Pierced earri...
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
Signed Oscar de la Renta Faux Amethyst Crystal Designer Necklace and Earrings
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Signed Oscar de la Renta Faux Purple Amethyst Crystal Statement Bib Necklace and matching Earrings. Necklace measures approx. 16" long with 2.5” extender. Pierced earrings ...
Amethyst, Crystal, Gold Plate
Sold
W 1.11 in L 3.19 in
Oscar de la Renta Jeweled Seahorse Earrings in Gold, Green Reed and Blue Crystal
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Milford, DE
These two colorful seahorses will add some glamour to your look! Each gold-plated seahorse is decorated with faux pearls and bold crystals in green, blue, amber, and red colors. Po...
Crystal, Gold Plate