|
 The tall Dominican-born de la Renta dressed New York
socialites, Hollywood stars and American first ladies during a
career that spanned five decades.
Former U.S. Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Hillary
Clinton, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Vogue
magazine Editor in Chief Anna Wintour spoke during the service
at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on Manhattan's Upper East
Side.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," said Heather Petrie, 31, a member
of the choir. "It was a celebration of life" with "lots of
music, an orchestra, a full choir and a soloist."
Music executive Lisa Schiff described the service as
"extraordinary" as she left the church.
Designers Valentino, Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger and
Donna Karan, director Mike Nichols and his journalist wife Diane
Sawyer, newswoman Barbara Walters, photographer Annie Leibovitz
and actor Hugh Jackman were among the invited guests.
Fans and photographers were kept behind police barricades that
stretched a city block at the imposing church on Park Avenue.
"He was an icon and a guru of fashion and a wonderful man who
changed people's lives in fashion," said 44-year-old Kim Wolfe
of Manhattan as guests arrived for the service.
"His couture and his design were really created for the
sophisticated lady, not necessarily of the 21th century, but of
a lady that once was," she added.
De la Renta died at his home in Connecticut on Oct. 20,
surrounded by his family, friends and more than a few dogs. As
news of his death spread, fellow designers, Hollywood stars and
former first ladies whom he dressed expressed their condolences.
[to top of second column] |
 De la Renta's designs were known for their detail, fabrics
and embroideries. His classic creations ranged from fitted suits
to pastel and floral print dresses to elaborate, flowing ball
gowns that were favorites on the red carpet.
Actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner, Tina
Fey, Cameron Diaz and Oprah Winfrey chose his gowns for award
ceremonies.
Most recently, de la Renta created the lace, off-the-shoulder
wedding gown worn by London-based human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin
for her September wedding to actor George Clooney in Venice, Italy.
De la Renta was also known for his philanthropy, particularly in his
native Dominican Republic, where he had a home. In 1982 he
established La Casa del Nino for underprivileged children there.
President Danilo Medina led the nation in mourning and praised the
designer for changing the lives of thousands of children in the
country.
Dominican Foreign Minister Andrés Navarro credited de la Renta for
being "a permanent ambassador of our country abroad" and for raising
the nation's international profile.
(Writing by Patricia Reaney; Editing by Dan Grebler and Lisa Von
Ahn)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
