Oscar de la Renta to Receive Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence, 4/24

Carnegie Hall announced today that world-renowned fashion designer Oscar de la Renta will receive the seventh Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence at a gala benefit on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at The Plaza's Grand Ballroom. The award, recognizing Mr. de la Renta's outstanding leadership in business and philanthropy, will be presented by Sanford I. Weill, Chairman of Carnegie Hall's Board of Trustees.

"Carnegie Hall is proud to Honor Carnegie Hall trustee and legendary fashion icon Oscar de la Renta with our seventh Medal of Excellence in recognition of his internationally renowned business leadership and exceptional philanthropy," said Sanford I. Weill. "As a beloved and dedicated trustee, Oscar has lent his creative talent to furthering Carnegie Hall's mission since 1987. He is a true visionary who has made incomparable contributions to society and has altered countless lives around the world."

Following the Medal of Excellence awards ceremony at The Plaza, Carnegie Hall presents a performance by internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias on Thursday, April 24 at 9:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. The April 24 concert?open to both Gala Patrons and members of the public?marks the singer's first time performing at Carnegie Hall in 25 years. Mr. Iglesias made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1975 and returned in 1989.

Oscar de la Renta said, "Julio is like a brother to me. I am unbelievably honored that he will be joining me at Carnegie Hall, a place with an extraordinary soul, that for me holds a very special meaning."

The April 24 Medal of Excellence gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and award ceremony, followed by Mr. Iglesias' performance in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. All proceeds from this event benefit Carnegie Hall's artistic, education, and community programs. The gala leadership committee for this special event is in formation. Gala Tables are priced at $100,000, $50,000, $25,000, and $15,000 and include a table of eight or ten guests at the Gala Awards Dinner and prime concert seating. Individual gala tickets are priced at $5,000, $2,500, and $1,500 and also include dinner and prime concert seating. To reserve gala tables and tickets, please call the Special Events Office at 212-903-9679 or email specialevents@carnegiehall.org. Concert-only tickets, with prices ranging from $80-$225, will be available to Carnegie Hall subscribers and donors on November 19 and to the general public on November 22. Tickets can be purchased at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.

Oscar de la Renta left his native Dominican Republic at the age of eighteen, to study painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid. While living in Spain, he became interested in the world of design and began sketching for leading Spanish fashion houses, which soon led to an apprenticeship with Spain's most renowned couturier, Cristóbal Balenciaga. Later, he left Spain to join Antonio Castillo as a couture assistant at the house of Lanvin in Paris. In 1963, he came to New York to design the couture collection for Elizabeth Arden. In 1965, Oscar de la Renta began his signature ready-to-wear label. Today the company also produces a bridal collection, a beauty line, a home collection, childrenswear and a complete range of accessories, including handbags, shoes and jewelry. In 2008, Oscar de la Renta opened its first international stores in Athens and Madrid, and has continued its expansion with the opening of Dubai in 2009, Tortuga Bay and Riyadh in 2012, and London in 2013. In August 2013, the house completed an expansion of its New York boutique, doubling their space on Madison Avenue.

Oscar de la Renta's talents have received continual international recognition. He was the co-recipient of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2007. In 2006, Oscar de la Renta received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Parsons' 58th Annual Benefit and Fashion Show in 2006. He received the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 2000. In February 1990, he was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award. From 1973 to 1976, and from 1986 to 1988, he served as President of the CFDA. He is also a two-time winner of the Coty American Fashion Critic's Award and was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1973. From 1993 until 2002, Oscar de la Renta designed the haute couture collection for the house of Pierre Balmain, becoming the first American ever to design for a French couture house. Oscar de la Renta has been awarded La Gran Cruz de la Orden del Mérito Civil from King Juan Carlos of Spain and the French Legion d'Honneur as a Commandeur.

The Dominican Republic has also honored its best known native son as one of its most distinguished citizens, with the order al Mérito de Juan Pablo Duarte and the order of Cristóbal Colón. In 1996, Oscar de la Renta received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hispanic Heritage Society, and in 2000 he marched down Fifth Avenue as Grand Marshal of New York City's Hispanic Day Parade. Also in 2000, he received the Gold Medal of Bellas Artes from the King of Spain.

Oscar de la Renta is a tireless patron of the arts. He serves as a board member of Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, and Channel Thirteen/WNET. He also serves on the boards of important institutions such as New Yorkers for Children, the Americas Society, and is presently chairman of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. Oscar de la Renta has also helped build a much needed school and day-care center in the Dominican Republic that cares for over 1,500 children on a daily basis.

About the Evening's Featured Artist
Singer Julio Iglesias has sold more than 300 million copies of his 80 albums released worldwide. As the 1983 Guinness Book of Records recognized, on awarding him the only Diamond Disc ever given by this institution, Mr. Iglesias has sung and recorded in the most languages in the history of music.

In the 45 years of his unstoppable career, Julio Iglesias has received 2,600 platinum and gold records. He has performed more than 5,000 concerts in 600 cities around the world, and more than 60 million people have seen him perform live. In addition to his own solo performances, Julio Iglesias has been featured in duets with many famous artists including Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Art Garfunkel, Paul Anka, Charles Aznavour, Sting, The Beach Boys, Alejandro Fernández and Plácido Domingo.

Mr. Iglesias has earned awards, accolades and recognition around the globe. He received a Grammy Award in 1988, and, one year later, was awarded a star with his name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He holds an American Music Award; the prestigious "ASCAP Pied Piper Award," the highest award of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers; and was named a UNICEF Special Ambassador for the Performing Arts, among many other honors.

In April 2013, in Beijing, Julio Iglesias received two historic awards: the Guinness World Record for being the Best-Selling Male Latin Artist as well as the First & Most Popular International Artist in China Award.

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