He was a favourite of socialites and movie stars alike. Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta has died of cancer at the age of 82.

The Dominican-born de la Renta, who also lived in Spain and France before coming to New York, was among a group of designers that also included Bill Blass and Geoffrey Beene.  They helped put the U.S. on the map in the late 1960s as a home of serious fashion.

His specialty was elaborate, embroidered evening wear.

U.S. First ladies Laura Bush and Hilary Clinton both wore de la Renta gowns to inaugural balls, and Penelope Cruz and Sandra Bullock, among other Hollywood celebrities, wore his work on the red carpet. Oscar de La Renta recently designed the wedding dress for George Clooney’s wife, Amal.

De la Renta catered mostly to his socialite friends and neighbours, but eyed more mass appeal with several fragrances and accessories licenses.