Ossie Clark Long Red Open Back Wrap Tie Belt Original Cuddle Dress, 1970s
View Similar Items
Ossie Clark Long Red Open Back Wrap Tie Belt Original Cuddle Dress, 1970s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 55 in (139.7 cm)Marked Size: 36 (UK)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Contemporary (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good; some minor picks to the fabric.
- Seller Location:Port Saint Lucie, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: Ossie Clark Red Dress 70s 1stDibs: LU40724024931
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.
- Lilly Pulitzer Dress The Lilly Bold Florals White Lace Trim Rare Vintage 1970sBy Lilly PulitzerLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLAuthentic, preowned, vintage Original Lilly Pulitzer 'The Lilly' Dress with Lace, circa 1970s. Made from a gorgeous pink, green and white floral print, it has white lace at the bodic...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Bonnie Cashin for Sills Dress and Turnlock Belt 2pc Set Wool Leather Vintage HTFBy Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for SillsLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLAuthentic, preowned, vintage Bonnie Cashin for Sills blue knit turtleneck dress with matching blue leather turn lock belt, circa the 60s. Ultra mod! Made from a blueberry-hued wool...Category
1960s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Bonnie Cashin for Sills Dress Long Fringe Tunic Chamois Leather Vintage 60s RareBy Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie CashinLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLFabulous Bonnie Cashin for Sills chamois leather tunic dress with fringe, likely made in the early 60s. A unicorn! A similar design can be seen in Bonnie Cashin's fashion sketch ca...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Bonnie Cashin for Sills Dress Gold Suede Leather Kimono Style Sleeves Rare 1960sBy Bonnie Cashin, Bonnie Cashin for SillsLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLAn iconic suede leather dress designed by Bonnie Cashin, and made during her time at Sills in the mid 1960s. Made from an incredibly supple golden-hued suede, it fastens in back with...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Dress B/W Pinstripe Silk Blend YSL Rive Gauche 1990s Sz 46By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLAuthentic, preowned, vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche pinstripe dress, likely made in the 1990s. Made from a wool/silk/rayon blend woven pinstripe fabric, it features button-f...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Bonnie Cashin Maxi Dress Belted Cashmere Knit Funnel Neck Vintage Retro 70s HTFBy Bonnie CashinLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLPreowned, vintage Bonnie Cashin belted maxi dress, likely made in the mid 70s. Made from a supple cashmere knit in a gorgeous mint green color, it slips over the head and is unlined,...Category
1970s Scottish Maxi Dresses
- 1980’s Moschino Mare Vintage Minnie Mouse Knit Mini DressBy MoschinoLocated in Concord, NCSuper fun and whimsical rare Moschino late 80's/early 90's polka dot minnie mouse inspired dress accented with a yellow bow. Featuring a sweetheart neckline and cap sleeves. An iconi...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- Art Deco Red Chiffon 'Flapper' Dress, manner Dufy & PoiretBy Paul PoiretLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a 1920's Red Silk Chiffon Art Deco 'Flapper' Dress in the manner of Paul Poiret with a printed black rose pattern in the manner of Raoul Dufy. Pleated sleeves and black vel...Category
1920s French Cocktail Dresses
- Jean-Louis Scherrer Boutique Paris Paisley Silk Day DressBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Jean-Louis Scherrer Paris Silk Day Dress. Paisley print, top lined in black silk, buttoned up front, US size 8. A numbered Paris label (408309).Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2015 Layered Fit & Flare Sleeveless Military Dress 38By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Sarah Burton for the Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2015 collection. Fit & flare with layered skirt portion of dress. Military Style. Epaulettes at shoulders. Sleeveless. S...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Norma Kamali Red Blazer DressBy Norma KamaliLocated in Los Angeles, CARed blazer dress. Padded shoulders. Double breasted. Collared. Front pockets. Lined. Wool blend. *Condition: Excellent vintage condition. No visible Flaws....Category
1980s Day Dresses
- Issey Miyake Knit Sweater DressBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Los Angeles, CALongsleeve knit sweaterdress. Wool. Made in Japan. *Condition: great vintage condition, one snag ( as pictured). Measurements Taken Laying Flat (inches)— Shoulder to Shoulder: 21 ...Category
1980s Day Dresses