[O]n the day an American icon passed away I found myself in the throws of living in one of his visions. It was quite a surreal experience to be dining with Mr. Oscar de la Renta’s friends at the luxury resort he co-owned and designed when news of his passing came to me through a social media alert on my phone. I read the comment out loud in disbelief and shock after spending a day speaking of him so often. Our dinner companions that evening had known and looked at us with great sadness when we discovered it at that moment. In a true act of elegance, they told us it wasn’t their place to make the announcement until his wife and family made an official statement. Such respect, a trait so few people excersie but was so elegantly found in Mr. de la Renta’s character.

We all shared Oscar stories from our experiences with him, I loved seeing how his warmth had affected their lives. For me, I took a moment to remember the first time I met him and getting a glimpse behind the scenes at the design house that makes every girl’s dream dresses. I feel so fortunate to have photographed him, created Cinemagraphs with his collections, photographed his ladylike pieces in fashion shoots, made memories with friends in Oscar, to having the insane honor of wearing his gowns on very special occasions.

We raised our glasses to a great man who did nothing but make women feel beautiful and teach us a thing or two about life.

{above- Coco Rocha has a quiet moment in Oscar, below more of my favorite Oscar moments}

Oscar de la Renta SS2015 | A Day with Oscar de la Renta | My Favorite Collection | Inside the Design Studio | Oscar’s Cinemagraph | Oscar in Paris | Coco & Oscar | Oscar’s Botique | Oscar’s Resort