Los Angeles, Oct 21 (IANS): Oscar de la Renta, who designed for several Hollywood stars like Penélope Cruz and Sandra Bullock, for more than four decades, died at the age of 82.

Renta died at home Monday evening in Connecticut surrounded by family and friends and "more than a few dogs", according to a handwritten statement signed by two of his company's executives Alex Bolen and Eliza Bolen, reports people.com.

"While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much us. Oscar's hard work, his intelligence and his love of life are at the heart of our company," the statement said.

"All that we have done, and all that we will do, is informed by his values and his spirit. Through Oscar's example we know the way forward. We will make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work that Oscar loved so much," added the statement.

Renta and his peers, including the late Bill Blass, Roy Halston and Geoffrey Beene, defined American style.

He recently designed the wedding dress for Amal Alamuddin when she married actor George Clooney. First Lady Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton also wore his creations on different occasions.