Top quotes by Oscar de la Renta

Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself. Votes: 23

Although I have no plans to tweet, I am fascinated by developments on the Internet. Votes: 14

Fashions change and with rare exception are forgotten by the public. But the classic fragrances, like an invisible dress, endure. Fragrance must be introduced properly. A fragrance is like a signature, so that even after a woman leaves the room, her fragrance should reveal she's been there. Votes: 13

Now is the most exciting time in fashion. Women are controlling their destiny now, the consumer is more knowledgeable, and I have to be better every single day. Votes: 11

My wife said I look like a Latin American dictator. I said, 'That's what I am' Votes: 9

Never,ever confuse what happens on a runway with fashion. A runway is spectacle. It's only fashion when a woman puts it on. Being well dressed hasn't much to do with having good clothes. It's a question of good balance and good common sense. Votes: 9

You don't go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater, Votes: 8

Gardening is how I relax. It's another form of creating and playing with colors. Votes: 8

Regardless of how good or bad a collection might be, it's a letdown after the show is over. It's done. Something you've worked on for months is just over. Votes: 8

And smile, you know I always tell the girls to smile because I hate sad faces. Votes: 8

I want to make clothes that people will wear, not styles that will make a big splash on the runway. Votes: 7

When I was a boy, I thought scent was contained in dewdrops on flowers and if I got up very early in the morning, I could collect it and make perfume. Votes: 7

We live in an era of globalization and the era of the woman. Never in the history of the world have women been more in control of their destiny. Votes: 6

You have to appreciate every single day that you're alive. Life is a little bit like a garden - you have to find time to plant the seeds for beautiful flowers to grow. Votes: 6

Walk like you have three men walking behind you. Votes: 6

My approach is that fashion must always be optimistic, and that a woman will always be enticed by beautiful clothes. Votes: 6

If you want to establish an international presence you can't do so from New York. You need the consecration of Paris. Votes: 6

The charities closest to my heart have always involved helping children in some way. Votes: 6

Online media is increasingly influential in fashion. Votes: 5

Working for incredible talents like Balenciaga and Antonio Castillo, I learned about the immense skill and creativity involved in couture work. Votes: 5

A fragrance is like a signature, so that even after a woman leaves the room, her fragrance should reveal she's been there. Votes: 5

A woman plays such an active role in society. And today, the woman who influences fashion is not that very rich woman who sits at home and polishes her nails. It's the one who works, who is a doer, who does things by dressing. She's very strongly projecting an image of herself as an individual. Votes: 5

I like light, color, luminosity. I like things full of color and vibrant. Votes: 4

I don't really know how to do casual clothes. Votes: 3

I'm a very restless person. I'm always doing something. The creative process never stops. Votes: 3

I was surrounded by sisters. My childhood was all women. Votes: 2

As far as preference between fall and spring collections, I have none that I prefer to design. With fall you have a lot more items, but of course I am from the Dominican Republic, so I love the warm weather. Votes: 2

When I went to see Mrs. Clinton and we talk about the inaugural dress I ask her what would you like to achieve with this particular dress? And she said to me what I would like is - that when I walk into the room and people will look at me and say wow you look great. Votes: 2

Any girl from any walk of life dreams of that special dress, and I try to make that dream a reality for her. Votes: 2

Every day you have to reinvent yourself Votes: 2

We're dealing with sophisticated customers. What's most important to these women is individuality. I have to create things she'll want to wear, no matter who she is. Votes: 0

Fashion is a trend, style is within a person Votes: 0

I always say: To be well dressed you must be well naked Votes: 0

The well dressed man never stands out in a crowd; his elegance sets him apart. Votes: 0

I do not have one theme for each season, I just try to make beautiful clothes all year round. Votes: 0

I am not interested in shock tactics. I just want to make beautiful clothes. Votes: 0

I always say: To be well dressed you must be well naked. Votes: 0

I have this complex that if I walk into a place wearing a colorful shirt someone will stop me and say, 'I'm sorry, but the Latin band comes through the other door.' Votes: 0

The qualities I most admire in women are confidence and kindness. Votes: 0

I wanted this, I wanted to do this, but my work is me, and it has to be right. Votes: 0

It’s not about what you wear, but about how you live your life Votes: 0

Be the designer of your own destiny. Votes: 0

Style begins by looking good naked. It's a discipline. And if you don't dress well every day, you lose the habit. It's not about what you wear, but about how you live your life. Votes: 0

The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die. We always think we are going to live forever. The dying aspect we will never accept. The one thing about having this kind of warning is how you appreciate every single day of life. Votes: 0

Style begins by looking good naked Votes: 0

Elegance is a discipline of life. Votes: 0

I’ve lived every day to the fullest, and I’ve had a marvelous time. I’ve tried to be nice to the people I care about, and ignore the ones I don’t. I enjoy what I’ve done. Votes: 0

Things never happen on accident. They happen because you have a vision, you have a commitment, you have a dream. Votes: 0

If you wear a different perfume every day, I do not recognize you. Votes: 0

Silk does for the body what diamonds do for the hand. Votes: 0

If you don’t move, you get stale. Votes: 0

Love. Be curious. Always try to do your best. Votes: 0

The essence of style is how you live your life Votes: 0

There is always an emotional element to anything that you make. Votes: 0

The great thing about fashion is that it always looks forward. Votes: 0

My great strength is knowing who I am and where I come from - my island. Votes: 0

I love to live well, I love to eat well, I love to buy beautiful things, and to give a fantastic time to my friends. Votes: 0

A woman makes an outfit her own with accessories. Votes: 0

Women are born free, and I think that they should stay that way. Votes: 0

I hate pretty. It’s a very empty word. It gives a bad name to beauty. Votes: 0

In fashion, the most important thing is to move on. Votes: 0

A runway is spectacle. It’s only fashion when a woman puts it on. Votes: 0

Luxury to me is not about buying expensive things; it's about living in a way where you appreciate things. Votes: 0

The most important thing? Perfect lighting at all times. Votes: 0

I always tell this story: When I started, the woman went to the store to buy a dress. She saw it in pink and red, and then she remembered that the husband, who is probably going to pay for the dress, loves it in pink. So she buys the pink. Today, the same woman goes to the store and remembers the husband likes pink, and she buys the red. Votes: 0

Today, there is no fashion, really. There are just . . . choices. Women dress today to reveal their personalities. They used to reveal the designer's personality. Until the 70s, women listened to designers. Now women want to do it their own way. There are no boundaries. And without boundaries, there is no fashion. Votes: 0

My job as a designer is to make a woman feel her very best Votes: 0

What women have achieved in the last 50 years, I wish men would have achieved in the last 100. Votes: 0

When a woman falls in love with something so much that she wants to wear it- it is at that point that it becomes fashion. Votes: 0

You know I started an orphanage so totally by accident. A lady came to me and asked me if I would, I will help her and we start it with little school and then I fell in love with it. Votes: 0

I’m a happy fellow. I feel very privileged, lucky, that I have had a wonderful life. And that I have been always allowed to do what I love, Votes: 0

My customers are successful workingwomen. Votes: 0

I always think the best way to dress is when the person notices you first and the dress after. Votes: 0

I have always felt my role as a designer is to do the very best I can for a woman to make her look her best. Fashion is only fashion once a woman puts it on. Votes: 0

Accept your friends for who they are, not for who you want them to be. Votes: 0

Tell me, which designers in New York do you think are great - besides me, of course. Votes: 0

My entire concept of lifestyle is built on the foundation of my homes. There is no more important expression of this concept than that of my own personal living space. Votes: 0

Excess is not really something I consider a bad thing; especially when you are talking about living. Votes: 0

The only realities in life are that you are born, and that you die, Votes: 0

You don't need an introduction to succeed in life. You need to have good work. Work hard. Believe in yourself Votes: 0

The most important beauty is not that with which you were born, but the beauty of character which grows through a woman's life and maybe never stops growing. Votes: 0

If you have the right to call me a hot dog why do I not have the right to call you a stale 3-day old hamburger? Votes: 0

Women think black is the most flattering color, but they're wrong. Pink adds a cosmetic-like radiance and warmth. Black drains the skin of color; pink delights the eye. Votes: 0

Every season I am inspired by women. Votes: 0

I don't really know how to do casual clothes Votes: 0

Work hard. Believe in yourself. It's not the publicity that sells the clothes, it's the woman. Votes: 0

It's important to excite the imagination of a woman. Votes: 0

Nothing says spring like hand-cut flowers. Votes: 0

I always design my own hats to complete my fashion thought....I like them slightly mad, like this huge black poppy. Right now I lift the bosom high on coats and dresses...I am using so many high curved belts. Votes: 0

Fashion is about the present and the immediate future. I think in terms of now. Votes: 0

My beloved Hillary, do not disappoint me. You have to be President, OK? Votes: 0

There is no sound more feminine than a woman in a taffeta dress. Votes: 0

Nothing is contrived. At night, the clothes should pour like liquid over the body. Votes: 0

A woman can wear anything- she can make it right. Votes: 0

One should travel as light as possible. I can organize myself to go on a ten-day trip with just hand luggage. Votes: 0

A woman today knows that the power of her femininity is very important. Votes: 0

The Council of Fashion Designers of America is a national neurotic society of creative leaders in various fields of fashion. Votes: 0

I would like better to be known as the Godfather of Fashion, with all the implications that that word has. Votes: 0

I come from a very warm island, where colors are very important, very vibrant, and obviously the color has been an influence on my work. Votes: 0

I adore gardening, and whenever I have time off, that is my passion. Votes: 0

I think the greatest reward I have is getting up and going to work each day. I love what I do. Votes: 0