When news of Oscar de la Renta’s passing spread on Monday, artists, actors, fashion designers and editors, culture creators all, expressed their sorrow at his loss. But it isn’t just those at the frontiers of fashion who mourn his passing. De la Renta, Dominican born, became synonymous with American style. Bringing his own stamp, his eagle-eye of elegance, to not only exquisite dresses, but accessories and decor gave him a special place in the hearts of people everywhere.

As I was reading about de la Renta’s impact, it was revealing to discover how many people he dressed, inspired and influenced. From First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Nancy Reagan and Michelle Obama, to countless actresses, style icons and most recently, George Clooney’s new bride, Amal Alamuddin, who chose to have de la Renta design her wedding dress.

One of de la Renta’s biggest fans over the years has been Elaine Wynn, wife of Las Vegas shape shifter Steve Wynn and his right hand in decision-making. It was Elaine who was instrumental in bringing the very first Oscar de la Renta store to Las Vegas nearly ten years ago.

The significance of opening a store in Las Vegas was not lost on Mr. de la Renta. He revealed in an exclusive interview with Wynn hotels that: “Las Vegas is no longer really a place for people to strictly come and gamble, it’s a place for people to come and dream. It’s a place for great restaurants, great shows, you know, a wonderful extraordinary sense of luxury.”

Oscar de la Renta courtesy of Vegas Magazine

This vision of an emerging Las Vegas from someone as well-respected as Oscar de la Renta, has helped to redefine the city. Having a person of his taste and caliber invested in Vegas allowed for other iconoclasts to follow. Women who not only visited but lived in Vegas would now have access to Oscar de la Renta design.

Kelly Wearstler, who like the late style master, brings a new definition to American design, has recently put her own stamp on Las Vegas living.

Wearstler has increasingly gained significance, with her aesthetic expanding from fashion, accessories and interiors to luxury hotels all over the world. Much like Oscar de la Renta, she has cast light on the meaning of the word luxury. It’s one thing to make beautiful things, and another to make beautiful things which allow people to feel more like the best version of themselves.

Kelly Wearstler photographed by Emily Weiss for Into the Gloss

In 2012, she brought her distinctive vision to the revamping of a 45-story luxury condo complex called The Martin. We at Exclusive Listing have recently acquired a portfolio of homes to sell in The Martin. One thing we have noticed is how Wearstler’s design of the common areas have brought an uncommon sense of refinement to luxury living in Las Vegas.

In this project, the South Carolina bred designer’s signature of bold patterns (she studied graphic design early on) and penchant for texture is tempered by a twist on Hollywood Regency–a of type grand minimalism in shared spaces: the entryway, the lobby and library lounge. The spaces are a subtle interplay of bold statement and quiet detail.

The redesign of The Martin speaks to a growing desire for people from all over the world to call Las Vegas home.

“The Strip has long been an international destination, but until recently, opportunities to own property in Las Vegas were primarily in the suburbs. The Martin was built to provide cosmopolitan, high-rise living for individuals who want to live close to all of the great shopping, restaurants and entertainment. They can have a low maintenance vacation home {or primary residence} that has many of the great benefits of a hotel with the {added} benefits of owning,” says our Las Vegas based broker Evan Rourk about living at The Martin. At just 585 steps away from Las Vegas’ CityCenter, with Wearstler’s design, it is worlds away from stereotypical Las Vegas. Wrapped in style, yet it feels like a home.

Lobby of The Martin, designed by Kelly Wearstler

Trend-setters like de la Renta and Wearstler have wiped away any remaining stigma of living near the Strip. De la Renta himself, believed in Steve and Elaine Wynn’s vision of Las Vegas. Wearstler has been at the forefront of design in the era of new media and isn’t afraid to bring her voice into new places. It’s an exciting time to live in a Vegas which still has the soul of it’s rat pack days but is not shying away from it’s increasing role as a cultural epicenter.

It is the job of the designer to not just give people something of the moment, but something aspirational, enticing… a vision for what could be. Oscar de la Renta understood this when in an interview with Vegas magazine he said, “You see, I love to garden. You buy seeds and you plant them and they have to grow, but at one point, a very important part of gardening is to weed…And this is a time for weeding. There’s always going to be a consumer, no question about it…you just have to work harder than ever to entice the consumer.”

Entice us he did. Thank you for the design, the inspiration and the vision Mr. de la Renta. You will be missed.

Christine Terrisse is a Marketing Specialist for Exclusive Listing

For more information on Oscar de La Renta and his work: oscardelarenta.com

For more information on Kelly Wearstler: kellywearstler.com

If you are interested in a luxury residence at The Martin, Las Vegas, email James Kim at james@exclusivelisting.com