Oscar de la Renta, the beloved Dominican-born designer who died in 2014, is truly unforgettable. He contributed glamorous and sophisticated clothes for 50 years, and his legacy brought international acclaim and recognition to American talent as worthy leaders on fashion’s stage.

On February 16, 2017, the U.S. Postal Service commemorated the life of the late designer and former CFDA President with Forever stamps. The pane includes 11 images — an evocative black-and-white portrait of de la Renta by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, and 10 stamps that show details from some of his most exquisite gowns.

The original portrait appeared for the Alphabet Series in a 2006 issue of V Magazine, where Inez & Vinoodh met the designer for the very first time, remembering him as being “extremely elegant, relaxed and open to direction. In one word: trusting.”

Mr. de la Renta was an ideal model that day.

“It’s the very short but super focused trust exchange between us and our subject that makes these kinds of sessions so special,” Inez and Vinoodh said. “We sadly never met again after that day but were thrilled to hear that he thought it was his favorite vision of himself, and after the publication, asked to use it for other press use.”

With this commemorative item, the legacy of de la Renta’s work is forever stamped in the fabric in fashion – a wonderful honor and tribute to the immigrant from the Dominican Republic who forever belongs to this country’s history as an exemplary American.

Thank you, Mr. de la Renta.

Editor’s Note: As part of a new editorial series, we look to moments that define American Fashion and highlight the cultural impact and contributions our country’s creatives have made on a global scale.

Support the USPS: Amid a global health pandemic, the coronavirus is threatening one of our government’s steadiest services: the mail. NRF launched a new grassroots campaign urging Congress to consider emergency funding for the United States Postal Service. This is in response to the Administration’s proposal to impose a package tax that would hurt rural communities and small businesses in addition to USPS.

Package delivery is the primary source of revenue for USPS and retailers and consumers are heavily relying on USPS during the pandemic to deliver goods while stores are temporarily closed. Tell Congress to include the USPS in the next round of Coronavirus relief funding here.