Oscar de la Renta will be 80 years old this July–but he’s still rocking it, and reaching a younger clientele than ever, no less. This one-time assistant to the master couturier Balenciaga managed to play it both ways, upping the cool factor in his Fall 2012 collection while simultaneously appealing to his Park Avenue contingent with fabulous suits and gorgeous gowns (one vaguely ethnic-looking column under a long black fur evening coat was a standout).

The enormous tulle ballgowns were also quite beautiful–fit for a fairy tale princess, and perfect for an old-fashioned gala evening. In fact, the entire presentation had serious retro appeal, from the hairstyles to the ladylike clothes themselves. Leave it to Oscar to balance irony and true chic with such aplomb: the man almost never fails to deliver a sensational collection!

Photographs by Stéphane Israël