According to today's WWD, rumor has it that Oscar de la Renta is designing a new beauty deal. CEO and de la Renta's son-in-law Alex Bolen did not comment on the buzz.

At the end of 2009, de la Renta reclaimed its beauty license from YSL Beauté, which had since been acquired by L'Oréal. WWD's sources suspect a private equity deal is brewing which would infuse capital into the fragrance business and possibly expand the the company's offerings into makeup and skincare. In addition to the original Oscar fragrance, De la Renta puts out 14 other fragrances and ancillary products which sell among the top 100 womens' brands.

Usually when a high-end company like Oscar takes back its licenses it's to re-enforce the standards the core brand upholds and that seems to be the case here. WWD confirms that the issue "stemmed from a trademark infringement suit filed by Oscar de la Renta Ltd. in June 2008 against Elizabeth Arden Inc., alleging Arden sold 4-ml. fragrance samples to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other mass retailers without authorization."

The article also notes that de la Renta's business has seen recent expansion into international retail in Dubai, Madrid and Athens, as well as new ventures in fashion (a.k.a. costume) jewelry, furs and bridal gowns.