Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta died Oct. 20 from cancer. He was trained by renowned designers Cristobal Balenciaga and Antonio del Castillo.

De la Renta worked for Arden in New York for two years before taking over Jane Derby’s label after she died, later he moved to his own label of mainly bridal wear.

As the first Dominican to have designed for a French couture house, he not only made beautiful designs but also history. He dressed first ladies and celebrities at award shows with drop dead gorgeous designs always maintaining a fine balance.

“Never 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,” De la Renta once said.

Throughout his life he was awarded with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Lifetime Achievement Award, American Fashion Critic’s Award, Order of Juan Pablo Duarte Award and Order of Cristobal Colon Award.

De la Renta will be missed among his fellow designers and everyone who followed his work, however his impact in the fashion industry remains.