VOA慢速英语2014 传奇设计师奥斯卡德拉伦塔去世享年82岁曾为第一夫人和女星设计礼服

 

Oscar de la Renta Dressed First Ladies and Movie Stars 传奇设计师奥斯卡德拉伦塔去世享年82岁曾为第一夫人和女星设计礼服

Clothing designer Oscar de la Renta died Monday at his home in the American state of Connecticut. He was 82 years old. His wife said he died of problems related to cancer.

Mr. de la Renta dressed American movie stars and first ladies.  Amal Alamuddin chose de la Renta to design the dress she wore to her wedding to George Clooney last month.

Oscar de la Renta was born in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, in 1932. His interest in women’s clothing is perhaps not surprising – he grew up with six sisters. After he completed high school, de la Renta went to Madrid to study art. His first love was painting, but an interest in fashion design developed.

The young man found his first design job in Europe. But he did not stay long. He moved to New York City to work for the Elizabeth Arden company. In the late 1960s, he opened his own house of fashion design.

He became popular quickly in Hollywood and in the nation’s capital. The first American first lady he dressed was the former Jacqueline Kennedy. De la Renta very close to President Ronald Reagan’s wife, Nancy.  Many of her fashions came from de la Renta.

Hillary Clinton was also a big fan. Ms. Clinton spoke¹ in April at an event to honor Oscar de la Renta.  She described him as “the man working for 20 years to turn me into a fashion icon².”

Oscar de la Renta’s style mixed romantic, feminine³ elements with a modern edge that included bright color.  He once said that his love of rich colors came from his Hispanic roots. He called it his “island side.”

Oscar de la Renta did not just work in the fashion industry. He was also a major supporter of the arts.

The designer discovered he had cancer in 2006. Last year, he spoke about that part of his life. He told a gathering⁴ at the 92nd Street Y organization in New York City that learning about his cancer made him “appreciate every single day of life.” Michelle Obama was among several presidents’ wives and movie stars who released statements of regret over the death of Oscar de la Renta. Nancy Reagan noted⁵ her 50-year friendship with the designer. She called him a “kind, gracious⁶ individual with a generous spirit who brought beauty and elegance⁷ to everything he touched.”

Words in this Story

wedding – n. a ceremony at which two people are married to each other

fashion – n. the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles

icon – n. a widely known symbol; a person who is very successful and admired

feminine – adj. of, relating to, or suited to women or girls

elegant⁸ – adj. showing good taste; graceful and attractive

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

3 feminine   

adj.女性的，女子气的

参考例句：

• He has a very feminine voice.他的声音非常像女人。
• She was a very feminine person.她是个很有女性气质的人。

4 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 gracious   

adj.亲切的，客气的，宽厚的，仁慈的

参考例句：

• She was a very gracious lady.她是一位非常和蔼可亲的女士。
• She was gracious enough to show us round her home.她彬彬有礼地领我们参观了她的家。

7 elegance   

n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙

参考例句：

• The furnishings in the room imparted an air of elegance.这个房间的家具带给这房间一种优雅的气氛。
• John has been known for his sartorial elegance.约翰因为衣着讲究而出名。

8 elegant   

adj.优美的，文雅的，简练的，简结的

参考例句：

• She was an elegant and accomplished woman.她是位优雅的才女。
• She has a life of elegant ease.她过着风雅悠闲的生活。