Oscar de la Renta is a stalwart of American style, a constantly glamorous presence, summing up a sort of East Coast glamour that is wholly glossy but very American with it. 

Charity doyennes wear his gowns, their silver hair in updos, jewels glistening at their throats, but you’ll often spot Oscar de la Renta dresses on young actresses like Allison Williams and Rachel Bilson too.

A new book, The Style, Inspiration, and Life of Oscar de la Renta, celebrates his design legacy with archive editorial photos dating back 50 years as well as personal photographs of his homes and gardens  (de la Renta’s garden is not like your garden or my garden).

At a hefty 200 pages and with a foreword by Anna Wintour, this is an essential addition to fancy coffee tables everywhere.    

A hat can't dampen the unabashed ladylike nature of an Oscar de la Renta creation. 

Pure Oscar de la Renta decadence, as envisaged for American Vogue.

In this Bruce Weber for Vogue shoot, Kate Moss manages to make Oscar de la Renta almost slouchy. Almost. 

Spots have long been a trademark of Oscar de la Renta's. Boots and swimming pools less so.

A garden fitting of a designer as esteemed and as glamorous as Oscar de la Renta. 

The Style, Inspiration, and Life of Oscar de la Renta is published by Assouline and is available to order at www.oscardelarenta.com and www.assouline.com. It is also available at Oscar de la Renta and Assouline boutiques worldwide.