NEW YORK: Legendary fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, whose beautiful clothes defined American elegance for generations and were beloved by first ladies and Hollywood stars, died Monday. He was 82.

As condolences poured in from the fashion world, his company website bore only his trademark signature in white against a navy blue background.

US media reported his death at his home in Kent, Connecticut, quoting family members. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006.

Earlier this month, his luxury brand announced that British-born designer Peter Copping would take over as creative director although that he would work closely with de la Renta on designing the next collection.

Twitter lit up with messages of condolence and praise for de la Renta.

“Oscar created a whole world of luxury, style, and elegance all his own,” wrote designer Vera Wang.

“The ‘King of Evening’ will be forever remembered,” Vogue Magazine added.

Schooled in the mastery of European couture, de la Renta worked until the end of his life, most recently designing the wedding dress for human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who wed Hollywood heart throb George Clooney in Venice last month.

One of the world’s most eminent designers, his frocks were worn by American first ladies from Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan to Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, as well as film stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker. Tributes also poured in from friends, celebrities and younger designers who mourned the loss of one of America’s most eminent designers.