Fashion Icon Oscar de la Renta dies aged 82

    

 Oscar De la Renta was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He studied painting in Spain but soon realized he was interested in fashion. Oscar began sketching for top Spanish fashion houses which led to an apprenticeship with Spain's most famous designer, Cristóbal Balenciaga. He became known internationally in the 1960 as the designer for first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. He was known as a couture designer to the rich and famous from runway to the red carpet. He also used black models such as Iman and Naomi Campbell in his shows and said “Black models have a sense of original style.” On occasion he was inspired by African imagery which could be seen in some of his collections. He died of cancer at 82.

African patterns and Headdress

Iman and Naomi Campbell

  Mud cloth  Collection

Wilt Chamberlain Postage Stamp

Donald Hunt was on a mission. Hunt, a sports writer for The Philadelphia Tribune and neighbor in our Wynnefield community, has succeeded in getting a commemorative stamp for basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain. It took seven years and lots of lobbying to The Philadelphia76ers, The Kansas Jayhawks and Chamberlains family, friends and fans.  Kadir Nelson, of San Diego, Calif., created the two stamp portraits and then it was designed by Art director Antonio Alcala of Alexandria, Virginia. The 7’1” Chamberlain was born in Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School then attended University of Kansas. He played for a number of NBA teams and holds records that are, to this day unbroken. Chamberlain is listed as one of the league’s 50 Greatest Players.