Stars of fashion, media, Hollywood pack funeral for designer Oscar de la Renta

NEW YORK, N.Y. – From Hillary Rodham Clinton to Hugh Jackman to Mikhail Baryshnikov, luminaries of the fashion, entertainment and media worlds packed a Manhattan church on Monday for the private funeral of legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, joined actors Jackman and Matthew Broderick, newswomen Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer (with husband Mike Nichols) and Andrea Mitchell, dance great Baryshnikov, and designers Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Donna Karan and Tommy Hilfiger at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, along with Vogue editor Anna Wintour, photographer Annie Leibovitz, and supermodel Karlie Kloss.

De la Renta died on Oct. 20 at his Connecticut home at the age of 82, following a battle with cancer.

Jerry and Syd Shaw, who attended the funeral, said de la Renta worked until the end.

“That was his life. He loved it. He loved working. He loved people,” Jerry Shaw said following the service.

The funeral, Syd Shaw said, truly reflected de la Renta’s life.

“I think he would be overwhelmed because he had all kinds of people from all parts of his life,” she said.

The Dominican-born designer, famous for glamorous garments that combined intricate workmanship with luxurious materials, was as admired on Hollywood red carpets as he was at socialites’ soirees. Most recently, Amal Alamuddin wore a de la Renta-designed dress when she married George Clooney at a lavish wedding in Venice.

Monday’s service lasted about one hour. According to the printed program, honorary ushers included the designer’s son, Moises de la Renta; TV newsman Charlie Rose, and singer Julio Iglesias. Readings were to be given by Clinton, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, among others.