Tribute to Oscar de la Renta

I hope everyones summer has started off wonderfully! I’ve been a stranger for the past few months, but the love for my readers remains. I’ve had a busy agenda, traveling and preparing for new and exciting things to come for DANIELLA KRONFLE. 

One of the highlights of these past few months was the honor of being invited as Vice Chair of the Tribute to Oscar de La Renta during the 12th Annual New Yorkers for Children Gala, at the Mandarin Oriental New York.   

It was certainly a night to remember as the gala took place in the fabulous ballroom on the 36th floor, with breath taking views of Central Park. The venue was designed by none other than David Stark and presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, who joined Lead Beauty Sponsor, Le Métier de Beauté. Among the event Chairs to support Oscar’s dearest charity were  several New York socialites including the dear Dana Auslander, Alina Cho, Nicole Esposito, Elisabeth Noel Jones, Susan Shin, and Honorary Chair Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos. 

Notable guests included Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo, the stylish gatekeeper of America's most luxurious store, who wore a vintage Bulgari Serpentine necklace and stunning champagne-colored gown;  perfume and cognac heir Killian Hennessy and his lovely wife Elizabeth Jones Hennessy; the gorgeous Oscar PR Girl, Erika Bearman who I very much enjoyed meeting. She is so stylish and sharp. 

At our table we were joined by an incomparable group of tastemakers including the charming Amanda Weiner, Senior Accessories Editor of Harpers Bazaar, the amazing James Aguiar, National Fashion Director of Modern Luxury Group, Juana Libedinsky, of Vanity Fair Mexico and Spain, my dear friend Caroline Childers, publisher of Jewelry International, and Emma Pearse of the New York Times and New York Magazine. Last but not least my dear friends Andrea deNiemeyer and Johana Shahani and my partner in business and crime Maria Jose Puente. We had so much fun sharing our own Oscar stories and how he has helped shape our careers and personal styles.

This was one of the most special nights of my career. The organizers asked me to write a few words that I want to share with you here:

"As a Latin American designer, Oscar's work and success will forever inspire my path. He remains the quintessence of class and elegance, and creations the very definition of exquisite artistry. He was privy to a truth too many designers ignore-that feminine beauty can never be created, only embodied and given prominence through adoring and timeless design."

Cheers to you Oscar! You are deeply missed.