6 updates
21 October 2014

Tributes paid to fashion designer Oscar de la Renta

Former US First Lady Laura Bush leads tribute to fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, who has died at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.

Live updates

Garner (right) wearing a de la Renta dress at the 2008 Oscars. Credit: Reuters

Actress Jennifer Garner says Oscar de la Renta was a "gentleman" whose love of women was reflected in the dresses he created.

Garner - who wore a de la Renta dress at the 2008 Oscars, among other occasions - said: "You saw it in every design that he did - he honoured women's features, he honoured our bodies.

He wasn't afraid to pull back and let the woman be the star of the look. I was just lucky to get to wear his designs and get to know him a little bit - just the tiniest bit - as a person.

– Jennifer Garner on Oscar de la Renta

Bill and Hillary Clinton have expressed their sadness at the loss of fashion designer and friend Oscar de la Renta, saying: "Oscar’s remarkable eye was matched only by his generous heart."

Then First Lady Hillary Clinton wearing a de la Renta dress in 1997. Credit: Reuters

Hillary was one of a number of US First Ladies to wear de la Renta designs while in the White House, and the family were also close friends of the fashion heavyweight.

In a statement, the Clintons said: "His singular talent and exquisite taste elevated American fashion, and his warmth and friendship will be missed by our family and all whose lives he touched in his extraordinary journey."

His legacy of philanthropy extended from children in his home country who now have access to education and healthcare, to some of New York’s finest artists whose creativity has been sustained through his support.

We will always be grateful to Oscar for the love he showed us, and for sharing his talent on some of the most important occasions of our lives.

– Clinton family

The stepdaughter of Osca de la Renta has said the designer died with his family and friends around him on Monday.

Eliza Reed Bolen and her husband Alex Bolen said they were "heartbroken" at the news but that his hard work, intelligence and love of life would remain at the heart of the fashion label.

While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much us. Oscar's hard work, his intelligence and his love of life are at the heart of our company.

All that we have done, and all that we will do, is informed by his values and his spirit. Through Oscar's example we know the way forward. We will make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work that Oscar loved so much.

– Eliza and Alex Bolen

Laura Bush pictured with Oscar de la Renta. Credit: Reuters

Former US first lady Laura Bush has paid tribute to "dear friend" designer Oscar de la Renta.

George and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend, Oscar de la Renta. We will miss Oscar's generous and warm personality, his charm, and his wonderful talents.

My daughters and I have many fond memories of visits with Oscar, who designed our favorite clothes, including Jenna's wedding dress. We will always remember him as the man who made women look and feel beautiful.

George, Barbara, Jenna, and I send our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Annette de la Renta, Alex and Eliza Bolen, and all of Oscar's loving family and friends.

– Laura Bush

Oscar de la Renta Credit: Reuters

Models, fellow designers and celebrities have begun paying tribute to legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, who has died at the age of 82 after a battle with cancer.

He had battled the disease since 2006 and is survived by his wife, Annette Engelhard, and a son, Moises, ABC News reported.