On one side of the runway sat the old guard, the perfectly coifed, expensively-furred women who made Oscar de la Renta a Park Avenue icon, women like Nancy Kissinger and Mercedes Bass. Barbara Walters was settled in their company; Annette de la Renta, the designer’s widow, was too, seated beside Anna Wintour. Bill Cunningham, before the show, hurried over to give her a warm hug.
On the other side, facing them, was the new guard, the brightest stars among them — and the reason, in all likelihood, for the many photographers waiting outside — Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss, a pair of skyscraper besties in complementary Oscar de la Renta dresses and clicking heels. Huma Abedin was just down the aisle.
The occasion Tuesday night was the first show by Peter Copping, Mr. de la Renta’s successor, who took the reins of the house more abruptly than planned when Mr. de la Renta died in October.
And when the collection came down the runway in the center, ranging from smart-set daywear in georgette, bouclé and tweed to fairy-tale ball gowns in radzimir and duchess satin, each model sporting an impeccable updo with a faint resemblance to Mrs. de la Renta’s own, it was met with warm applause. Guards old and new are not always in accord, but both sides agreed that Mr. Copping had done the founder proud. — MATTHEW SCHNEIER
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