Karlie Kloss was inspired by Oscar de la Renta.

Supermodel Karlie Kloss has opened up about the loss of her "mentor and friend" Oscar de la Renta and revealed she was inspired by his loving nature.

The Victoria's Secret model has opened up about the loss of her "mentor and friend" and admitted she was inspired by the late fashion designer's loving nature and generosity before he passed from complications with cancer, aged 82, in October this year.

Karlie Kloss has opened up about the loss of her "mentor and friend" Oscar de la Renta 

She told the US edition of Glamour magazine: "I attended the Met Gala with Oscar just eight months ago. That night at the dinner, I had one of the most heartfelt conversations with him that I've ever had with anyone.

"He told me how he fell in love with his wife, Annette, and he told me about his first wife, who had died of cancer 30 years before. The most important thing in life, he said that night, is to love and be loved, and to do what you love. For me, it was so inspiring to see someone at 81, still so happy going to work."

The 22-year-old beauty - who referred to the late fashion icon as her "honorary grandfather" - also credited Oscar for encouraging her to believe in herself.

Karlie Kloss devastated by the loss

She explained: "I remember him saying once that what he finds beautiful is confidence and kindness in the same person. He saw that in me before I realised it in myself."

Karlie also spoke of the designer's kindness and revealed he lent her one of his luxurious gowns for her high school dance after she modelled for one of his campaigns.

She said: "When I was still in high school and we were shooting his campaign. I had homecoming the next day, and he let me take the gown from the campaign to wear to my school dance. I felt absolutely beautiful!"

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