It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that neither the Swinging Sixties nor the hippie looks of the 1970s would have been what they were if not for Ossie Clark, who popularized the flamboyant fashion synonymous with the eras.
Born Raymond Clark in 1942, the designer moved as a boy to Oswaldtwistle, the source of his lifelong nickname. Clark began studies in architecture at just 13, a foundation that instilled in him the lessons of proportion and scale that would inform his day dresses, suits and other unique clothing decades later.
After learning tailoring, pattern cutting and more important technical skills at the Regional College of Art in Manchester (now the Manchester School of Art), Clark attended London’s prestigious Royal College of Art. There, he began a lifelong friendship with the artist David Hockney, who would eventually paint a portrait of Clark and his wife and partner, Celia Birtwell, also a designer.
Clark’s graduation show in 1964, featuring at least one garment decorated with a line of light bulbs, made instant waves in the fashion world, foreshadowing the career he would have as a boundary-pushing creative. He landed his first feature in British Vogue just months later and was a veritable instant addition to the London fashion scene. While he was still a student, Clark’s designs were being sold in the famous London boutique Quorum, and Henri Bendel had brought his collection to New York. His fashions soon became inextricably linked with the famous “Chelsea Girls” of the decade.
Clark’s clothing ran the gamut from free-flowing garments in muted hues to graphic patterns in bold colors informed by a fascination with Pop art and flora. He collaborated with Birtwell for most of his career, incorporating her dynamic Art Deco–inspired prints in his work before the couple parted in the 1970s. Clark favored crepes and chiffons and paid close attention to small details, often eschewing simple zippers in favor of, say, fabric-covered buttons. At the end of the 1960s, Clark adjusted hemlines to the maxi length and introduced a line of chiffon dresses intended to be worn over a nude body.
Clark’s penchant for flowing pants, bell sleeves and fringe is largely regarded as popularizing the archetype of 1970s fashion in London and the United States — influence bolstered, no doubt, by his dressing such A-list clients as Mick Jagger, Liza Minelli and The Beatles. A gifted draper, he was known for his uniquely flattering fits. As footwear icon Manolo Blahnik once said, “He created an incredible magic with the body and achieved what fashion should do — produce desire.”
Find vintage Ossie Clark evening dresses, blouses, day dresses and more on 1stDibs.
1968 OSSIE CLARK black moss crepe dress with keyhole neckline ruffles & red trim
By Ossie Clark, Ossie Clark for Radley
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This is a 1968 Ossie Clark “Judy” dress, a rare and iconic design that perfectly captures the sensual drama of Clark’s early work. The dress is made from his signature black moss cr...
documented 1972 OSSIE CLARK / CELIA BIRTWELL 'BUSY LIZZIE' printed short dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
1972 OSSIE CLARK / CELIA BIRTWELL “BUSY LIZZIE” PRINT SHORT DRESS A rare and exquisite example from the iconic collaboration between legendary British designer Ossie Clark and texti...
1971 OSSIE CLARK black moss crepe dress with embroidered moons & stars
By Ossie Clark for Radley, Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This rare 1971 Ossie Clark black moss crepe wrap dress is a quintessential piece from one of Britain’s most influential designers of the era. Made from Clark’s signature moss crepe, ...
1972 OSSIE CLARK dress with CELIA BIRTWELL print
By Ossie Clark, Ossie Clark for Radley
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Rare 1972 Ossie Clark Dress with Celia Birtwell Print An original from the iconic Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell collaboration, this 1972 dress epitomizes the romantic, bohemian spi...
Ossie Clark Iconic Poppy Print Day Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Ossie Clark for Radley black moss crepe day dress, with a red and black Art deco inspired poppy print by Celia Birtwell. Self covered buttons, puff...
1970s Ossie Clark Ivory Silk Jacquard Maxi Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 1970s Bohemian Ossie Clark ivory rayon jacquard maxi dress is exceptional. The rayon jacquard fabric is super soft and quite heavy. Although many Ossie Clark dresses wou...
1970 OSSIE CLARK black moss crepe halter dress
By Ossie Clark for Radley, Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
A rare Ossie Clark halter dress in black moss crepe, dating from the 1970s. The dress has a plunging neckline with wide straps that tie at the shoulders, and a fitted high waist th...
Ossie Clark "Ziggy Stardust" Dress, 1970s
By Ossie Clark
Located in Norwich, GB
Ossie Clark c.1974 dress, "Ziggy Stardust" model. Ivory damask crepe fabric with layered ruffled tiers, creating beautiful movement. Unlabelled, includes ...
Ossie Clark For Radley Pink Crepe Maxi Dress With Keyhole Neckline
By Ossie Clark
Located in Studio City, CA
1970's Ossie Clark for Radley pink moss crepe maxi dress featuring a wrap skirt with extra long waist ties, a collared neckline with keyhole opening detail, fabric-covered buttons an...
1970s Radley Burgundy V neck Maxi Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1970s Radley maxi V neck dress. Size 6
1972 OSSIE CLARK black chiffon tiered evening dress with capelet
By Ossie Clark, Ossie Clark for Radley
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Stunning, Ossie Clark black chiffon evening dress dating to 1972. Designed with an empire waist, flowing tiered skirt, sheer blouson sleeves finished with elastic shiring at the wris...
Ossie Clark angel-sleeve drawstring dress with print by Celia Birtwell, ss 1971
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
▪ Ossie Clark angel-sleeve dress ▪ 'Busy Lizzie' floral print by Celia Birtwell ▪ Pink and green with black ground ▪ Loose fit ▪ Drawstring fastening a...
1970S OSSIE CLARK RADLEY Pink Nylon Blend Floral Knit Low Cut Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in New York, NY
1970S OSSIE CLARK RADLEY Pink Nylon Blend Floral Knit Low Cut Dress
Vintage Ossie Clark 1970’s Sleeveless Floral Layered Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
Ossie Clark 1970’s sleeveless ruffled dress. Features floral pattern, v-neckline, ruffled layers, waist fabric belt and midi length. In excellent vintage condition. Brand: Ossie Clar...
H 50 in W 13 in D 0.05 in
1970s Vintage Moroccan Caftan Lime Green Gold Floral Brocade Gown
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Elegant Moroccan caftan lime green and silver and gold lame metallic floral brocade, circa 1970s. It’s crafted in Morocco and tailored for a relaxed fit with wide sleeves This long m...
Jane Andre 1950s Full Skirt Dress
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great black dress by Jane Andre in a cotton linen blend. It has cap sleeves, a drop waist and full skirt. There is fine band around the crew neckline and ...
Emilio Pucci Pink Silk Shell Seashell Print Belted Sleeveless Sun Dress
By Emilio Pucci
Located in San Francisco, CA
Emilio Pucci textured silk pink dress with black and white shell print. Small yellow outlines on a few of the shells, and a few scattered 'Emilio' signatures throughout. Fitted botto...
Alessandro Dell'Acqua 1990s Tan Carmael Wool Vintage 90s Beaded Sleeveless Dress
By Alessandro Dell'Acqua
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1990s ALESSANDRO DELL'ACQUA tan / caramel wool beaded dress! Features a 'sunburst' pattern of amber brown beads on the left side. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye clo...
Max Nugus Haute Couture 1990s Size 6 8 Pink Brown Ombre Chiffon Vintage 90s Gown
By Max Nugus, Max Nugus Haute Couture
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous 1990s MAX NUGUS HAUTE COUTURE ombre beaded silk chiffon full length evening dress! Warm colors of pink, peach and brown. Strapless u...
Scaasi Boutique Silk Ruffle Off Shoulder Dress 1980s
By Scaasi Boutique, Arnold Scassi
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk ruffle dress by Arnold Scassi. It is made of black dot flocked silk tulle In ruffled layers around the shoulders and 3 tiered layers creating the skirt. There...
Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful stretch silk leopard print dress from Dolce & Gabbana. The bodice has adjustable straps, functional and adjustable side lacing through to the hips plus rows of top st...
Christian Lacroix 1980s Beaded Silk Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful black silk cocktail dress from Christian Lacroix with elaborate beading and sequins in magenta, rose, silver and red. The pointed bodice has beaded spaghetti straps and i...
Size: S, M
Pierre Cardin Iconic 1960s Dress
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Water Mill, NY
An iconic 1960s yellow linen dress from Pierre Cardin. It has a stand up collar and cap sleeves with trapunto embroidery around them, the hem and f...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Pink Silk Flower Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful blush pink silk dress with green and bright pink flowers by John Galliano for Christian Dior. It has ruched straps forming a front V, the skirt falls in gentle folds to the hem and there are the signature Dior self covered buttons...
Size: XS, S
Betty Carol 1950s Sculptural Dress
By Betty Carol, Mamselle
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous dress from Betty Carol in light weight black wool and silk taffeta. It has a V neckline front and back with fabulous princess seaming creating a fitted silhouette through...
1970s Ronald Kolodzie Navy Blue Orange Green Long Sleeve Vintage 70s Maxi Dress
By Ronald Kolodzie
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1970s RONALD KOLODZIE navy blue, orange and green long sleeve jersey maxi dress! Features a tropical Hawaiian print in vibrant colors of neon orange, green, peach and light p...
Size: UK 12 (fits smaller)
1973 OSSIE CLARK dress with CELIA BIRTWELL print
By Ossie Clark for Radley, Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Extremely Rare 1973 Ossie Clark Dress with Celia Birtwell Print A beautiful and very rare example of the celebrated collaboration between Ossie Clark and textile designer Celia Birt...
1972 OSSIE CLARK / CELIA BIRTWELL 'BUSY LIZZIE' printed dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare black dress by Ossie Clark with 'Busy Lizzie' print by Celia Birtwell dating to 1972. Dress best fits a US 2-4. Approximate measurements: waist ...
Vintage Ossie Clark 1970's Salmon Pink Crepe Maxi Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic 1970's Ossie Clarke dress is a must-have for vintage lovers. Made from silky crepe fabric, this salmon pink button up dress features the designer's signature style and wi...
Size: UK 12 (fits very small)
1970's OSSIE CLARK dress with CELIA BIRTWELL print
By Ossie Clark for Radley, Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, tiered dress made of Celia Birtwell printed fabric designed by Ossie Clark dating to the 1970's. Dress features puff sleeves, a low cut neckline with button closure, an em...
Size: UK 14 (runs small)
1970's OSSIE CLARK For QUORUM black bias-cut maxi gown with low back
By OSSIE CLARK / Quorum, Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This 1970's Ossie Clark for Quorum black bias-cut maxi gown is a quintessential example of Clark’s mastery of cut and sensuality. Made from luxurious black moss crepe, the gown is cu...
1970s Ossie Clarke Black Moss-Crepe Waspie Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
Original 1970s Ozzie Clark for Radley moss crepe waspie dress. This is a classic Ozzie design that has made him one of the most enduring and admired fashion designers of the 20th cen...
1970s Ossie Clark Black Crepe Halter Neck Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
This is a very early 1970s dress from Ossie Clark’s couture range when he designed and collaborated with Alice Pollock of the infamous Quorum Boutiqu...
very rare 1970 OSSIE CLARK for QUORUM moss crepe wrap dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare cream and black moss crepe dress designed by Ossie Clark for Quorum dating to 1970. Ossie Clark's wife at the time, textile designer C...
1970s Ossie Clarke Black Muslin Embroidered Maxi Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
This is one of the more unusual dresses from fashion superstar Ossie Clark for British retailer Radley circa 1973- 1975. Rather than it being made from a black moss crepe, this is 100% cotton muslin and made in India. It has the dagger collar, ubiquitous to the era and been hand embroidered in a floral design. Both the dagger collar, the yoke and the armholes are all edged in a contrasting pink piping. The dress has a high waistline and fastens to the front with a row of fabric covered buttons. The bishop sleeves are three-quarter length and are finished with three fabric buttons on the cuffs. The dress retains its original fabric tie belt. Labelled Ozzie Clark for Radley, Size UK 12 and fairly true to modern sizing save for the smaller bust measurement which is probably closer to a UK 10 or US 8. Condition is very good to verging on excellent. Ossie Clark dresses were often worn to death and altered but we see no evidence of that here and it has been well looked after with the fabric still fresh looking and no visible mends. Notes on Designer: Ossie Clark was a highly influential British fashion designer in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1965 he graduated from the Royal College of Art with a first class degree and immediately began selling his work in exclusive London boutiques including Alice Pollock’s Quorum. Here he created a collection with textile designer and soon to be wife Celia Birtwell, one of the most famous collaborations in fashion history. Quorum was bought by Radley in the late 1960s which led to the ‘Ossie Clark for Radley’ label. Today, his distinctive dresses are highly sought after and admired by celebrities such as Kate Moss and Emma Watson...
1970s Ossie Clarke Black Moss Crepe Maxi Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
Original 1970s Ozzie Clark for Radley moss crepe shirtwaister dress. This is the classic Ozzie design that has made him one of the most enduring and admired fashion designers of the ...
Ossie Clark black and yellow moss crepe trumpet sleeve maxi dress, ss 1969
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
▪ Ossie Clark black and yellow moss crepe maxi dress ▪ Print by Celia Birtwell ▪ Trumpet sleeves ▪ Skirt of multiple panels with pointed edges at hip ...
Ossie Clark pink silk chiffon maxi dress with Celia Birtwell print, ss 1976
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
▪ Ossie Clark pink silk chiffon maxi dress ▪ Georges Seurat inspired print by Celia Birtwell ▪ Red, blue and green with pink ground ▪ String cleavage fastening ▪ Criss-cross string ...