Oscar de la Renta gowns in San Francisco on Ann Girard, Marsha Goldman and Paula Carano
Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective, curated by Andre Leon Talley, at the de Young Museum, March 12 – May 30, 2016
Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective opens March 12, 2016, at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. André Leon Talley, former American editor-at-large for Vogue magazine, is the curator of the exhibition that includes some 130 Oscar de la Renta pieces produced over five decades. Visitors can expect several thematic sections within the exhibition: early work; Spanish, Eastern, Russian and garden influences; daywear and evening wear; and ball gowns and red carpet ensembles.
In anticipation of the exhibition, below are some of my favorite Oscar de la Renta gowns seen around town. They wear them well: Barbara Brown, Carolyn Chandler, Paula Carano, Ann Girard, Marsha Goldman, Angelique Griepp, Nancy Kukacka, Gorretti Lui, Stephanie Marver, Komal Shah and Dede Wilsey.
Gorretti Lui in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Symphony’s Opening Gala 2014
Paula Carano, Bandel Carano
Paula Carano in Oscar de la Renta
Paula Carano in Oscar de la Renta at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Gala 2011
Paula Carano in Oscar de la Renta at Opera Ball
Paula Carano in a painted rosebud appliqué gown by Oscar de la Renta
Paula Carano in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Gala 2014
Paula Carano in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Gala 2011
Stephanie Marver in Oscar de la Renta
Nancy Kukacka in Oscar de la Renta
Dede Wilsey, President of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Dede Wilsey in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Opera Ball, 2014 (photo by Drew Altizer)
Komal Shah in Oscar de la Renta at the Asian Art Museum’s Maharaja Gala 2011
Komal Shah in Oscar de la Renta at the San Francisco Symphony Gala (photo by Agency Moanalani Jeffrey)
Komal Shah in Oscar de la Renta at Opera Ball 2013 (Drew Altizer Photography)
Komal Shah in Oscar de la Renta at Opera Ball 2014
Barbara Brown in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Opera Ball, September 2009
Barbara Brown in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Ballet’s opening gala, 2014 (Drew Altizer Photography)
Barbara Brown in Oscar de la Renta at Opera Ball 2013
Carolyn Chander in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Symphony
Angelique Griepp in Oscar de la Renta at Opera Ball 2009
Angelique Griepp in Oscar de la Renta at San Francisco Ballet’s opening gala 2007
Marsha Goldman in Oscar de la Renta at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Gala 2012
San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley with Ann Girard at Opera Ball 2011
Oscar de la Renta at Lake Tahoe
Dede Wilsey in Oscar de la Renta at Opera Ball 2008
Photo credits: Drew Altizer Photography, Moanalani Jeffrey Photography, Kat Wade/San Francisco Chronicle
Oscar de la Renta passed away on October 20, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. He chose British designer Peter Copping as his successor before he died. The League to Save Lake Tahoe and Saks Fifth Avenue continue to pay tribute to Mr. de la Renta with their annual lunch and fashion show, a tradition that began in 1969. Each summer, the Bay Area’s high-fashion set flocks to Lake Tahoe for the show that features Oscar de la Renta’s collection on the runway by the lake.
Around the world, Oscar de la Renta is remembered not only for his elegantly feminine clothes and the first ladies who wore them — Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama — but also for his legacy as a gentleman and philanthropist.
— Related: Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of the Oscar de la Renta fashion shows at Lake Tahoe: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
