Vintage 1970 Ossie Clark Ivory Moss-Crepe Celia Birtwell Floral Print Dress
View Similar Items
Vintage 1970 Ossie Clark Ivory Moss-Crepe Celia Birtwell Floral Print Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:Ossie Clark & Celia Birtwell
- Dimensions:Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Style:1970's (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3098170611
Ossie Clark
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.
- Antique 1910's Julius Garfinckel Couture Beige Embroidered Net-Lace Dress GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CAUnique mixed-lace dresses from the early 20th century are perennial favorites and this Julius Garfinckel and Co. garment is a showstopper. Garfinckel...Category
1910s American Tea Gowns
- Vintage 1930's Cartwright Ivory Striped Silk Rayon Cut-Out Maxi Dress & JacketLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThe vibrant rainbow-stripe used on this ivory silk rayon 1930's "Cartwright" designer dress ensemble has a whimsical allure that I find irresistible. The sleeveless bodice has a flir...Category
1930s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Jeanne Lafaurie Couture Watercolor Floral Silk Strapless GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CABreathtaking Jeanne Lafaurie Couture watercolor garden two-piece gown ensemble dating back to the mid 1950's era of fashion. Jeanne Lafaurie was a Pari...Category
1950s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Helen Rose Couture Fully-Beaded Blush Pink Silk Hourglass DressBy Helen RoseLocated in Beverly Hills, CABreathtaking and incredibly rare Helen Rose designer couture blush-pink beaded cocktail dress dating back to the early 1960's Old Hollywood era. Helen Rose won two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design: for "The Bad and the Beautiful" in 1952 and for "I'll Cry Tomorrow" in 1955. She was nominated a further eight times and was well-known for designing famous iconic looks of the stars of this era. She designed the wedding dress of Grace Kelly when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. She also designed clothing for Elizabeth Taylor in the movies Father of the Bride and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as well as Elizabeth Taylor's bridal gown when she married Conrad Nicky Hilton. Helen Rose, like Edith Head and Irene Lentz, was one of the rare women who became chief costume designer for a major film studio. Her style was elegant and understated but still extremely innovative. This sparkling museum quality dress is a perfect example of her pure genius. The fabric itself is a masterpiece; triple layered blush pink silk chiffon that has been embellished by hand with elegant glass-beads, large crystals, faux pink pearls in the most gorgeous floral motif. Such dazzling 3-dimensional texture! The sculpted low v-neck front and back bodice really compliment the elaborate fabrication. I adore the hourglass nipped waist cocktail silhouette which Helen Rose did so well. Helen's couture line existed from 1957-1971. In 1957, the price for her retail version of the Liz Taylor "Cat" short chiffon dress...Category
1960s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Traina-Norell Couture Watercolor Iris Floral Print Satin DressBy Traina-NorellLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThis exquisite Traina-Norell designer dress exemplifies their signature blend of couture-level quality with quintessentially American style— elegant in its simplicity. The gorgeous g...Category
1950s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Anne Verdi Champagne Sequin Lace & Tulle Bustle Back Bridal DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEthereal 1950's Anne Verdi designer champagne lace hourglass cocktail dress from the Old Hollywood era of glamour! The fabric itself is a masterpiece; high-...Category
1950s American Wedding Dresses
- Christian Dior by John Galliano floral silk and lace draped dress, fw 2005By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Apricot floral printed silk chiffon ▪ Velvet trim ▪ Lace bust ▪ Draped skirt ▪ Spaghetti straps ▪ Fabric buttons at the side ...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen striped cotton and lace dress with pleated skirt, ss 2005By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen dress ▪ Constructed from a fine cotton-silk fabric in two colour-ways of red, cream and blue stripes ▪ Ivory lace inserts and trim ▪ Low-waisted skirt made up of...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1960s Maggy Rouff Pink Silk DressBy Maggy RouffLocated in Paris, FRMaggy Rouff pink silk dress featuring a white ribbon detail, a center back zip opening, a silk lining. Label: Maggy Rouff - 14 Avenue Montaigne Paris...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Antique Edwardian 1910s Vintage Ivory Net Tulle Dress W Soutache Embroidery TrimLocated in Portland, ORThis is an incredible vintage dress from the 1910's!! The soutache detail is so well done and we especially love the pretty three layers of soft netting . The base layer is solid wit...Category
Early 20th Century American Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace Fuchsia Floral One Shoulder DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITFabulous one-shoulder short dress designed by Gianni Versace in the 1990s, made in Italy. ORIGINAL LABEL. The dress is very seductive, made entirely of a soft fuchsia fabric with a f...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
$791 Sale Price20% Off - D&G Vintage Leopard Mini DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Milano, ITSexy vintage dress designed by Dolce & Gabbana in the 1990s, made in Italy. ORIGINAL LABEL. The dress is a mini dress, reaching above the knee. It h...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
$747 Sale Price20% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Two-Piece Beaded Gown by Puerto Rican Designer David Fernandez Is the Embodiment of 1970s Glam
On the Met Gala red carpet, this vintage ensemble would bring the heat.
Madonna Wore the Same Plunging Azzedine Alaïa Design on the Cover of ‘Cosmo’ in 1987
The gold silk stunner was part of a knockout collection that changed the trajectory of Alaïa's then-troubled brand.