USPS Honors Late NYC Fashion Designer

One of New York's biggest fashion designers is coming out with a new line, but it is not what you think.

The late fashion mogul Oscar de la Renta designed dresses for countless celebrities and almost every first lady since Jackie-O. To show their appreciation of de la Rent'as contributions to America's culture and fashion, the United States Postal Service is honoring his memory with a new line of Forever Stamps. They will feature designs from some of his most famous gowns, and one will even display a portrait of de la Renta himself.

The designer's son-in-law and the current CEO of Oscar de la Renta, Alex Bolen, says de la Renta was proud of his home in the Dominican Republic, but grateful for the opportunity America presented. "Oscar was a very proud New Yorker. He frequently said, 'Nowhere but the United States, nowhere but in particular in New York City could I have done all the things that I have done,'" Bolen said.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg joked, "When I heard that I was going to be speaking between the CEO of Oscar de la Renta and Anna Wintour, my first thought was obviously 'What should I wear?'" He continued, "Oscar [...] was always willing to lend a hand to make our city and our country a better place [...]. For three mayoral runs, Oscar campaigned by my side in Washington Heights and neighborhoods all across the city where there are large Dominican communities [...]. Oscar was a hero to so many in those nieghborhoods."

Former First Lady Hillary Clinton, who has sported a variety of de la Renta's designs, also spoke at today's ceremony. "Oscar de la Renta was an immigrant [...], and aren't we proud and grateful that he was?," asked Clinton. She continued, "Let us remember what is durable and lasting about Oscar's legacy. Of course, it is the fashion; it is the great worldy success. But it is also going with him to Washington Heights, going to a night club, and watching him dance the salsa with young people who were just starting out their lives, in this great city, in this blessed country. He knew what they were hoping for. He gave up his heart and his soul to make sure that his example would live on."

Isabel Gonzalez del Ray is an executive at the designer's company. Like de la Renta, her parents immigrated to the US from the Dominican Republic. "I've heard the name in my household since I was a young girl, so it just really hit close to home. I couldn't leave without buying the stamps today," said Gonzalez del Ray.

Outside of fashion, de la Renta contributed to cultural institutions and charities throughout New York.

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