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| Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy |
I have yet to own an original Ossie Clark - but when I do, believe me you will be the first to know! Original Ossie Clark pieces are in high demand, particularly in London, and is a label to covet.
Mr. Clark was a major fashion designing influence, in what is famously known as the swinging sixties in London, England. Influencing many current fashion designers, his studies of architecture were an invaluable tool - allowing him to recognize the fundamentals of height, proportion and volume and apply it to his fashions. It is often said his wife Celia was his muse as she designed the fabrics prints from which he created his fashions. The two worked in tandem - one could not have designed without the other. Her patterns inspired his lines.
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| 1969 Dress of the Year, Bath Museum |
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| The Happening Dress |
Ossie had many famous clients including Mick Jagger, The Beatles and Liza Minnelli demonstrating his international success in New York and Paris. Originally, the exclusive London boutique Quorum featured his designs, but due to less than successful business management, the UK fashion house, Alfred Radley bought Quorum and the Clark designs. This expanded Ossie's audience and introduced the Ossie Clark for Radley collections.
By the 1980s however, the punk rock scene was taking over and Ossie's designs were considered dated. He met an early death at the hands of a former lover, and was stabbed to death in 1996. He was only 54 years old.
Imagine if he was still designing....
By the 1980s however, the punk rock scene was taking over and Ossie's designs were considered dated. He met an early death at the hands of a former lover, and was stabbed to death in 1996. He was only 54 years old.
Imagine if he was still designing....
2 comments:
When Ossie designed with Celia Birtwell, it was a match made in heaven. I would love to own one of their designs (sigh!)
Celia wrote a book recently (published by Quadrille), which I reviewed for the Vintage Fashion Guild. She writes fondly of her relationship with Ossie Clark. And, they were both from the North West of England so I'm very proud of that!
I think the Ossie Clark label is coveted everywhere. ;-)
I couldn't agree more Louise! I will have to go back and read your review...thanks for that!
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