FRANCOISE DE LA RENTE, 62, A LEADER IN FASHION
By ENID NEMY
Published: June 18, 1983
Francoise de la Renta, well known in the international fashion and social world for more than three decades and the wife of Oscar de la Renta, the designer, died of cancer early yesterday at her home in Manhattan. She was 62 years old.
Mrs. de la Renta had a long career as a magazine editor, primarily with Conde Nast Publications, and was widely admired not only for her taste in clothes and decorating, but also her talent as a hostess.
The daughter of an insurance salesman from Bordeaux, France, Francoise de Langlade was born and educated in Paris. She spent many childhood summers on Martinique, where her mother was born.
After beginning her career with the house of Schiaparelli, she went to Harper's Bazaar and, in 1951, joined French Vogue, where she was fashion editor and editor in chief. Involved With Decorating
After her marriage to Mr. de la Renta in 1967, she moved to the United States. The next year, she joined American Vogue, where she was editor at large. She retained her association with Conde Nast, with the exception of a short period as fashion and beauty editor of Elizabeth Arden International, until her death.
Mrs. de la Renta was a contributing editor to Vogue for 11 years and became involved in interior decorating. She was appointed editor at large for another Conde Nast magazine, House & Garden, last year.
Although Mrs. de la Renta was not active in her husband's business, she was credited by many for some of his success. Her friendships attracted rich, famous and glamorous women to the seasonal shows, whose seating she carefully arranged on a master chart.
The de la Renta homes, an apartment overlooking Central Park, a weekend retreat in Kent, Conn., and a sprawling house in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, were the sites of dinner parties that brought together an international and eclectic group. Her guests included men and women from the fashion, social and political worlds, as well as movie and stage stars and writers.
''She had a great talent for bringing people together,'' said Bill Blass, a friend for many years. 2 Dinner Parties a Week
During the social season, Mrs. de la Renta often gave two dinner parties a week, and although she did not always specify black tie for men, she expected that women would look their prettiest.
''I love fashion, I adore fashion,'' she once said. ''I could change my dress, scarf and shoes three times a day.'' Mrs. de la Renta liked luxury and comfort. Her homes were full of potpourri and fresh flowers, overstuffed cushions, throw blankets in strategic places, a mixture of furniture styles and shapes, and a melange of fabrics.
At parties, the table settings were almost never repeated, the food and service were always impeccable. Devoted to Husband
Despite her prominence in the international set, Mrs. de la Renta was considered by many of her friends ''a very private person.'' She rarely discussed her background or personal life. She said on many occasions that her marriage was, to her, the most important thing in the world.
''My biggest job is to be a wife to my husband,'' she once said. ''Nothing for me can interfere with that. The rest goes after.'' ''She was one of the most vital human beings I have ever known - she had a passion for life,'' said Alexander Liberman, editorial director of Conde Nast. ''She was an extraordinary perfectionist in everything.''
''She had a natural penchant for the very best and an appreciation for the offbeat that made her a wonderful and challenging colleague,'' said Louis Oliver Gropp, editor in chief of House & Garden.
Surviving are her husband and Jean Marc Bruere, the son of her first marriage, to Jean Bruere, a French businessman. The marriage ended in divorce. Her second husband, from whom she was also divorced, was the late Nicholas Bagenow, a diplomat.
A private service will be held today, and a memorial is being planned.
By ENID NEMY
Published: June 18, 1983
Francoise de la Renta, well known in the international fashion and social world for more than three decades and the wife of Oscar de la Renta, the designer, died of cancer early yesterday at her home in Manhattan. She was 62 years old.
Mrs. de la Renta had a long career as a magazine editor, primarily with Conde Nast Publications, and was widely admired not only for her taste in clothes and decorating, but also her talent as a hostess.
The daughter of an insurance salesman from Bordeaux, France, Francoise de Langlade was born and educated in Paris. She spent many childhood summers on Martinique, where her mother was born.
After beginning her career with the house of Schiaparelli, she went to Harper's Bazaar and, in 1951, joined French Vogue, where she was fashion editor and editor in chief. Involved With Decorating
After her marriage to Mr. de la Renta in 1967, she moved to the United States. The next year, she joined American Vogue, where she was editor at large. She retained her association with Conde Nast, with the exception of a short period as fashion and beauty editor of Elizabeth Arden International, until her death.
Mrs. de la Renta was a contributing editor to Vogue for 11 years and became involved in interior decorating. She was appointed editor at large for another Conde Nast magazine, House & Garden, last year.
Although Mrs. de la Renta was not active in her husband's business, she was credited by many for some of his success. Her friendships attracted rich, famous and glamorous women to the seasonal shows, whose seating she carefully arranged on a master chart.
The de la Renta homes, an apartment overlooking Central Park, a weekend retreat in Kent, Conn., and a sprawling house in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, were the sites of dinner parties that brought together an international and eclectic group. Her guests included men and women from the fashion, social and political worlds, as well as movie and stage stars and writers.
''She had a great talent for bringing people together,'' said Bill Blass, a friend for many years. 2 Dinner Parties a Week
During the social season, Mrs. de la Renta often gave two dinner parties a week, and although she did not always specify black tie for men, she expected that women would look their prettiest.
''I love fashion, I adore fashion,'' she once said. ''I could change my dress, scarf and shoes three times a day.'' Mrs. de la Renta liked luxury and comfort. Her homes were full of potpourri and fresh flowers, overstuffed cushions, throw blankets in strategic places, a mixture of furniture styles and shapes, and a melange of fabrics.
At parties, the table settings were almost never repeated, the food and service were always impeccable. Devoted to Husband
Despite her prominence in the international set, Mrs. de la Renta was considered by many of her friends ''a very private person.'' She rarely discussed her background or personal life. She said on many occasions that her marriage was, to her, the most important thing in the world.
''My biggest job is to be a wife to my husband,'' she once said. ''Nothing for me can interfere with that. The rest goes after.'' ''She was one of the most vital human beings I have ever known - she had a passion for life,'' said Alexander Liberman, editorial director of Conde Nast. ''She was an extraordinary perfectionist in everything.''
''She had a natural penchant for the very best and an appreciation for the offbeat that made her a wonderful and challenging colleague,'' said Louis Oliver Gropp, editor in chief of House & Garden.
Surviving are her husband and Jean Marc Bruere, the son of her first marriage, to Jean Bruere, a French businessman. The marriage ended in divorce. Her second husband, from whom she was also divorced, was the late Nicholas Bagenow, a diplomat.
A private service will be held today, and a memorial is being planned.
FRANCOISE DE LA RENTE, 62, A LEADER IN FASHION
By ENID NEMY
Published: June 18, 1983
Francoise de la Renta, well known in the international fashion and social world for more than three decades and the wife of Oscar de la Renta, the designer, died of cancer early yesterday at her home in Manhattan. She was 62 years old.
Mrs. de la Renta had a long career as a magazine editor, primarily with Conde Nast Publications, and was widely admired not only for her taste in clothes and decorating, but also her talent as a hostess.
The daughter of an insurance salesman from Bordeaux, France, Francoise de Langlade was born and educated in Paris. She spent many childhood summers on Martinique, where her mother was born.
After beginning her career with the house of Schiaparelli, she went to Harper's Bazaar and, in 1951, joined French Vogue, where she was fashion editor and editor in chief. Involved With Decorating
After her marriage to Mr. de la Renta in 1967, she moved to the United States. The next year, she joined American Vogue, where she was editor at large. She retained her association with Conde Nast, with the exception of a short period as fashion and beauty editor of Elizabeth Arden International, until her death.
Mrs. de la Renta was a contributing editor to Vogue for 11 years and became involved in interior decorating. She was appointed editor at large for another Conde Nast magazine, House & Garden, last year.
Although Mrs. de la Renta was not active in her husband's business, she was credited by many for some of his success. Her friendships attracted rich, famous and glamorous women to the seasonal shows, whose seating she carefully arranged on a master chart.
The de la Renta homes, an apartment overlooking Central Park, a weekend retreat in Kent, Conn., and a sprawling house in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, were the sites of dinner parties that brought together an international and eclectic group. Her guests included men and women from the fashion, social and political worlds, as well as movie and stage stars and writers.
''She had a great talent for bringing people together,'' said Bill Blass, a friend for many years. 2 Dinner Parties a Week
During the social season, Mrs. de la Renta often gave two dinner parties a week, and although she did not always specify black tie for men, she expected that women would look their prettiest.
''I love fashion, I adore fashion,'' she once said. ''I could change my dress, scarf and shoes three times a day.'' Mrs. de la Renta liked luxury and comfort. Her homes were full of potpourri and fresh flowers, overstuffed cushions, throw blankets in strategic places, a mixture of furniture styles and shapes, and a melange of fabrics.
At parties, the table settings were almost never repeated, the food and service were always impeccable. Devoted to Husband
Despite her prominence in the international set, Mrs. de la Renta was considered by many of her friends ''a very private person.'' She rarely discussed her background or personal life. She said on many occasions that her marriage was, to her, the most important thing in the world.
''My biggest job is to be a wife to my husband,'' she once said. ''Nothing for me can interfere with that. The rest goes after.'' ''She was one of the most vital human beings I have ever known - she had a passion for life,'' said Alexander Liberman, editorial director of Conde Nast. ''She was an extraordinary perfectionist in everything.''
''She had a natural penchant for the very best and an appreciation for the offbeat that made her a wonderful and challenging colleague,'' said Louis Oliver Gropp, editor in chief of House & Garden.
Surviving are her husband and Jean Marc Bruere, the son of her first marriage, to Jean Bruere, a French businessman. The marriage ended in divorce. Her second husband, from whom she was also divorced, was the late Nicholas Bagenow, a diplomat.
A private service will be held today, and a memorial is being planned.
By ENID NEMY
Published: June 18, 1983
Francoise de la Renta, well known in the international fashion and social world for more than three decades and the wife of Oscar de la Renta, the designer, died of cancer early yesterday at her home in Manhattan. She was 62 years old.
Mrs. de la Renta had a long career as a magazine editor, primarily with Conde Nast Publications, and was widely admired not only for her taste in clothes and decorating, but also her talent as a hostess.
The daughter of an insurance salesman from Bordeaux, France, Francoise de Langlade was born and educated in Paris. She spent many childhood summers on Martinique, where her mother was born.
After beginning her career with the house of Schiaparelli, she went to Harper's Bazaar and, in 1951, joined French Vogue, where she was fashion editor and editor in chief. Involved With Decorating
After her marriage to Mr. de la Renta in 1967, she moved to the United States. The next year, she joined American Vogue, where she was editor at large. She retained her association with Conde Nast, with the exception of a short period as fashion and beauty editor of Elizabeth Arden International, until her death.
Mrs. de la Renta was a contributing editor to Vogue for 11 years and became involved in interior decorating. She was appointed editor at large for another Conde Nast magazine, House & Garden, last year.
Although Mrs. de la Renta was not active in her husband's business, she was credited by many for some of his success. Her friendships attracted rich, famous and glamorous women to the seasonal shows, whose seating she carefully arranged on a master chart.
The de la Renta homes, an apartment overlooking Central Park, a weekend retreat in Kent, Conn., and a sprawling house in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, were the sites of dinner parties that brought together an international and eclectic group. Her guests included men and women from the fashion, social and political worlds, as well as movie and stage stars and writers.
''She had a great talent for bringing people together,'' said Bill Blass, a friend for many years. 2 Dinner Parties a Week
During the social season, Mrs. de la Renta often gave two dinner parties a week, and although she did not always specify black tie for men, she expected that women would look their prettiest.
''I love fashion, I adore fashion,'' she once said. ''I could change my dress, scarf and shoes three times a day.'' Mrs. de la Renta liked luxury and comfort. Her homes were full of potpourri and fresh flowers, overstuffed cushions, throw blankets in strategic places, a mixture of furniture styles and shapes, and a melange of fabrics.
At parties, the table settings were almost never repeated, the food and service were always impeccable. Devoted to Husband
Despite her prominence in the international set, Mrs. de la Renta was considered by many of her friends ''a very private person.'' She rarely discussed her background or personal life. She said on many occasions that her marriage was, to her, the most important thing in the world.
''My biggest job is to be a wife to my husband,'' she once said. ''Nothing for me can interfere with that. The rest goes after.'' ''She was one of the most vital human beings I have ever known - she had a passion for life,'' said Alexander Liberman, editorial director of Conde Nast. ''She was an extraordinary perfectionist in everything.''
''She had a natural penchant for the very best and an appreciation for the offbeat that made her a wonderful and challenging colleague,'' said Louis Oliver Gropp, editor in chief of House & Garden.
Surviving are her husband and Jean Marc Bruere, the son of her first marriage, to Jean Bruere, a French businessman. The marriage ended in divorce. Her second husband, from whom she was also divorced, was the late Nicholas Bagenow, a diplomat.
A private service will be held today, and a memorial is being planned.
