Oscar de la Renta, left his native Dominican Republic at age 18 to study painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. While living in Spain, he became interested in the world of design and began sketching for leading Spanish fashion houses, which soon led to an apprenticeship with Spain's most renowned couturier, Cristóbal Balenciaga. Later, Mr. de la Renta left Spain to join Antonio Castillo as a couture assistant at the house of Lanvin in Paris.

In 1963, he came to New York to design the couture collection for Elizabeth Arden. In 1965, Mr. de la Renta began his signature ready-to-wear label. To complement the signature Oscar de la Renta ready-to-wear designs, the Fall 2001 runway show marked the debut of Oscar de la Renta Accessories; which include bags, belts, and shoes. The world of Oscar de la Renta also includes cosmetic cases, eyewear, furs, jewelry, lingerie, scarves, and sleepwear. For men, Mr. de la Renta licenses products, including hosiery, sport coats, suits, and trousers. In South and Central America and Mexico there is a Sportswear line for men and boys and OSCAR JEANS, for men and women. In the fall of 2004 Oscar de la Renta debuted O Oscar, a moderate women's sportswear line. Most recently, bags, shoes, and sunglasses have been added to the brand. O Oscar is the only designer label of its kind available in the moderate tier. Mr. de la Renta now also designs for the home. Oscar de la Renta Home debuted a furniture collection and home fragrance collection in 2002. Since then tabletop, decorative fabrics, wallpaper, bedding, rugs, and decorative accents have been added to this prestigious collection. Oscar de la Renta launched his first perfume, Oscar, in 1977.

Today, Oscar is a bestseller in over 70 countries and winner of the 1991 Fragrance Foundation Perennial Success Award. In 1980, he created a fragrance for men, Pour Lui. In 1995, Oscar de la Renta was the recipient of the Living Legend Award from the American Society of Perfumes. In the fall of 1999, Oscar de la Renta introduced Oscar for Men and 2002 marked the debut of Intrusion. In 2004, Oscar de la Renta introduced Rosamor, his latest fragrance for women. Oscar de la Renta's talents receive continual international recognition. Among many other honors, Oscar de la Renta received the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Women's Wear Designer of the Year Award in 2000. In February 1990, he was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award. From 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988, Oscar de la Renta served as President of the CFDA. He is also a two-time winner of the Coty American Fashion Critic's Award and was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1973. From 1993 -2002 Oscar de la Renta designed the haute couture collection for the house of Pierre Balmain becoming the first American ever to design for a French couture house.

Oscar de la Renta has been awarded the French Legion d'Honneur as a Commandeur. The Dominican Republic has also honored its best known native son as one of its most distinguished citizens with the order al Mérito de Juan Pablo Duarte and the order of Cristóbal Colón. In 1996, Mr. de la Renta received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hispanic Heritage Society and in 2000 he marched down Fifth Avenue as Grand Marshall of New York City's Hispanic Day Parade. Also in 2000, Mr. de la Renta received the Gold Medal of Bellas Artes from the King of Spain. Oscar de la Renta has also helped build a much needed school and day-care center in the Dominican Republic for 1,200 children. Oscar de la Renta is a tireless patron of the arts. He serves as a board member of The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and Channel Thirteen/WNET. He also serves on the boards of important institutions such as New Yorkers for Children, the Americas Society, and is presently chairman of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute.