Oscar de la Renta jeweled velvet evening dress, 1990's.After studying design in Madrid, de la Renta began his fashion career under the tutelage of Cristobal Balenciaga. De la Renta later moved to Paris, where he worked as couture assistant to Antonio Castillo at Lanvin. The matador-style bolero and the solemn black column suggest the influence of these two great Spanish designers.
The body of the dress is fashioned from black rayon velvet. The jeweled bolero is actually an attached bodice. The bolero is richly embellished with Persian-style motifs, rendered in colored crystals, beads, sequins, and palettes. The dress is completely lined with black silk. It closes in back with an invisible zipper.
Loyal fans of de la Renta love his feminine, elegant creations. They can count on a beautifully finished garment, whether high end couture or from his less expensive line. The brilliant kaleidoscope of color on the bolero showcases de la Renta's flair for dazzling design.
