Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
British, 1942-1996
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.”
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Designer: Ossie Clark
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...
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1970s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
Ossie Clark vintage 1970’s Floral Swing Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
We are very excited to present this Ossie Clark 1970’s long sleeve swing dress. Features floral pattern, tie neck, wide silhouette with long sleeves and midi length. Print by Celia B...
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1970s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
Ossie Clark moss crepe and satin full length evening dress, circa 1970s
By Ossie Clark for Radley, Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
Ossie Clark was one of Britain's most influential fashion designers of the 1960s and 1970s. Clark defined the spirit of London during the period between Mary Quant’s go-go mini-skirt...
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1970s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
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
Jet-black, moss crepe, maxi dress with cut-out shoulders keyhole neckline, ruffles and red satin trim designed by Ossie Clark for Radley dating to 1968. Dress size is not marked, alt...
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1960s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970's OSSIE CLARK For QUORUM black bias-cut maxi gown with low back
By Ossie Clark
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Jet-black, moss crepe, bias-cut maxi gown with deep-V front and back from Ossie Clark for Quorum. Beautiful, decorative top-stitching detail around bodice. Dress is labeled a UK 14 h...
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1970s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970’s Ossie Clark Blue Chiffon Floral Dress With Ceila Birtwell Print
By Ossie Clark
Located in London, GB
Floaty summer dress from iconic British designer Ossie Clark, for his Radley line. This early to mid 1970’s piece features a pretty floral print in two layers of navy chiffon in a red, sky blue, green & white floral print by his wife and business partner Ceila Birtwell. Fitted around the bust, with a flattering empire line tie fastening and three covered buttons at the back in the same fabric. It would make a fantastic choice for a wedding or summer party and is in truly superb vintage condition with no issues. Best for a size extra small to small - our model is a size UK 6-8 or US 2-4 and this has room in the bust.
Ossie Clark was a highly influential British fashion designer in the 1960s -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 Celia Birtwell which was 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, Emma Watson...
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1970s English Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
Vintage 1970s Ossie Clark 'Autumn Leaves' Print Cotton Empire Waist Plunge Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
English fashion designer, Raymond Ossie Clark, was a leading light in the London "swinging sixties" fashion era and is now renowned for his romanti...
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1970s English Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
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 ...
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1970s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
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...
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1970s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
1970s Radley Burgundy V neck Maxi Dress
By Ossie Clark
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1970s Radley maxi V neck dress.
Size 6
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1970s British Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
Ossie Clark Moss Crepe Gown
By Ossie Clark
Located in Geneva, CH
This wrap dress in emerald green moss crepe, is a flattering and glamorous low-cut plunge maxi-length silhouette. Typical of the 70’s Ossie Clark design, wi...
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1970s English Ossie Clark Evening Dresses and Gowns
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Ossie Clark was one of Britain's most influential fashion designers of the 1960s and 1970s. Clark defined the spirit of London during the period between Mary Quant’s go-go mini-skirt and Malcolm Maclaren and Vivienne Westwood’s subversive punk movement, from 1965 to 1974.He was known to be able to cut straight into fabric without even consulting a paper pattern. Clark was obsessed with historical dress, citing Madeleine Vionnet, Lucien Lelong and Charles James as his favourites.Thanks to his technical skills Ossie Clark’s dresses were sexy, womanly and exquisitely cut. Despite his short life and short-lived career , Ossie Clark is widely remembered as an innovator whose talent and vision transcended the microcosm of the King’s Road, and influenced countless designers worldwide, most notably Yves Saint Laurent and countless New York designers.This dress has the simple, flattering lines of a classic Ossie Clark design. Its flowing silhouette, waist-tie and deep décolletage was designed to suit women...
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Vintage 1970s Ossie Clark 'Pineapple' Celia Birtwell Print Silk Crepe Maxi Dress
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Extremely rare Ossie Clark for Radley pineapple deco print semi-sheer crepe chiffon dress dating back to the early 1970's. English fashion designer, Raymond Ossie Clark, was a leadin...
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Vintage 1972 Ossie Clark 'Busy Lizzie' Celia Birtwell Floral Print Bias-Cut Gown
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1970s Ossie Clarke Black Moss Crepe Maxi Dress
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Ossie Clark evening dresses and gowns for sale on 1stDibs.
Find an extraordinary range of authentic Ossie Clark evening dresses and gowns available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of blue, red and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Jean Muir, Gina Fratini, and Janice Wainwright appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Ossie Clark evening dresses and gowns from top boutiques around the world. Ossie Clark evening dresses and gowns prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,350 and tops out at $6,678, while the average work can sell for $2,525.
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