“Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective” is showing at the de Young Museum in San Francisco through May 30, 2016 and is definitely worth seeing. The exhibition follows the famous designer’s career from its humble beginnings in Spain through his formative years at some of the most prestigious fashion houses to his illustrious career outfitting high-society and film stars. The exhibition itself is very well done — progressing from room to room through his career chronologically, ending in the “Red Carpet Room” with his dresses worn at the Academy Awards.

The Oscar de la Renta de Young exhibition combines art with fashion in a tribute to the legendary designer. According to this Women’s Wear Daily article, Oscar had spoken with de Young president Diane “Dede” Wilsey about a retrospective commemorating de la Renta’s company’s 50th anniversary. Regrettably, del la Renta died in 2014 and did not live to see the culmination of their discussions.

Featuring 130 gowns created over 5 decades, the rooms trace different phases of his life and career, from flamenco-inspired gowns of his time in Spain to stunning dresses worn on the red carpet, on loan from Taylor Swift and Sarah Jessica Parker. Perhaps the most stunning room features a video wall touring his beloved garden, accompanied by the organic gowns it inspired.

Based on the crowds I experienced at mid-day on a weekday, I would strongly suggest you purchase tickets in advance via their website. Members of the museum should also reserve tickets online and print their tickets at home. According to a gentleman at the information desk, members who select the “will call” option may end up standing in line up to 45 minutes to pick up tickets they could have printed at home. Four-hour street parking is available around the museum. Please visit this site for more information on street and garage parking.

At $30 a ticket, you might want to consider joining the de Young Museum, which is $99 per year and allows you to bring one  guest to the exhibition. There are many quality programs at the de Young and it is worth considering if you think you can make it back to visit in the coming 12 months.

My favorite room of the Oscar de la Renta de Young exhibition was the “Garden Room,” pictured below…