Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta presented his 2011 Pre-Fall Collection on Friday, May 20 at the InterContinental Miami for the Sur Futuro Foundation Premiere Annual Benefit Luncheon.

Show me a red carpet and I’ll show you a gaggle of gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gowns. The legendary Dominican designer himself presented his 2011 Pre-Fall Collection on Friday, May 20 at the InterContinental Miami for the Sur Futuro Foundation Premiere Annual Benefit Luncheon. After the luncheon, de la Renta made a personal appearance at his Bal Harbour Shops boutique from 3 to 5 p.m. We chatted up the dapper fashion deity on crushes, the royal wedding and more.

Bienvenidos a Miami! What do you love most about visiting? I think Miami is one of the greatest cities in the U.S. thanks to its diversity and strong Latin American community. I love to go to Fairchild Tropical Gardens and Vizcaya.

Your designs are classic and timeless, what is the inspiration behind your 2011 Pre-Fall Collection? As with any collection, I try to make a woman look the best she can.

You are a fashion hero to many, but who is your fashion hero? Every single woman who can afford to buy my clothes!

Describe the perfect day: It’s a day when I get to do something wonderful. To me working is the best opportunity to be creative and happy.

You’re a red carpet staple, whom do you have a celebrity crush on? I love Penelope Cruz because she’s Latina like me.

Who won best dressed at the royal wedding in your book? I think the bride looked fantastic! She looked far better than anyone else there.

How about those over-the-top hats? Those hats were something else. I don’t understand the mania. Simplicity is sometimes a much better asset.

Nobody know this about you but… I love to garden.

Share some words of wisdom with us: Live. Love. Laugh.

OSCAR DISHES...

Can’t leave home without: My iPad

Guilty pleasure: Spicy food

Movie: My Boy Jack

Sweet or salty: Salty

Childhood: A loving one

Muse: An anonymous woman in the street wearing my dress

Scent: Tuberose, gardenia, jasmine, ylang-ylang

Color: Pink! It’s happy!