Designing for one of fashion’s most iconic houses.
To work for Oscar de la Renta is to work at the highest level of fashion. Full stop.
Oscar de la Renta built a fashion empire rooted in elegance, femininity, and a joyful exuberance that made his runway shows among the most anticipated in the world. His clientele included heads of state, Hollywood royalty, and First Ladies — women who understood that dressing well is its own form of art.
I had the privilege of designing jewelry for Oscar de la Renta through Gem-Craft in Providence, Rhode Island, working directly with Oscar himself and his talented, demanding design staff. We designed five collections a year — each one crafted under real creative pressure, to the exacting standards of one of the most respected fashion houses in the world. Couture runway pieces. Retail collections. Jewelry that sold for thousands of dollars and graced some of the most celebrated runways in fashion history.
When Oscar passed away in October 2014, the house continued under the creative direction of Peter Copping, and the family remained deeply involved through Alex Bolen — Oscar’s son-in-law and CEO — who carried the founder’s vision forward with care and conviction. It was a privilege to be part of that world during such a significant chapter in the house’s history.
It was intense. It was exhilarating. And it made me a better designer.
The Oscar de la Renta pieces available at Ritzy Couture carry that legacy. They were conceived within the creative ecosystem of the house itself, designed to complement couture clothing and command attention on their own. For collectors and connoisseurs, these pieces represent a rare opportunity to own fashion jewelry with genuine couture provenance — brought to you by someone who helped create it.
~Esme