Vintage 1972 Ossie Clark Red Crepe Celia Birtwell Floral Print Puff-Sleeve Dress
View Similar Items
Vintage 1972 Ossie Clark Red Crepe Celia Birtwell Floral Print Puff-Sleeve Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 29 in (73.66 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Moss-Crepe
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3092222673
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.
- Vintage 1969 Rudi Gernreich Cross Your Heart Empire Red Navy Knit Mod Maxi DressBy Rudi GernreichLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA fearless designer, Rudi Gernreich’s body conscious garments dazzled the fashion world with originality and vision. Gernreich held a futurist view of fashion that resulted in innova...Category
1960s American Maxi Dresses
- Vintage 1970's Embroidered Patchwork Cotton Maxi Dress Worn By Zsa Zsa GaborLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA vibrant, early 1970's Joann Lopez designer embroidered cotton dress straight from Zsa Zsa Gabor's wardrobe. This dress dates back to the h...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1973 Givenchy Haute Couture Orange Dotted Silk Carwash-Hem Caftan GownBy GivenchyLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA gorgeous Givenchy numbered haute couture vibrant orange polka-dot silk gown ensemble dating back to his 1973 spring-summer collection. This rare four...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1970's Halston Couture Red Metallic Sheer Knit Long-Sleeve Dress GownBy HalstonLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous Halston Couture metallic lurex knit dress ensemble dating back to the mid 1970's. Throughout most of the seventies he epitomized the glamour, as well as the decadence of the...Category
1970s Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Bob Bugnand Red & Orange Floral Flocked Satin Strapless GownBy Bob Bugnand, Bob Bugnand for Sam FriedlanderLocated in Beverly Hills, CABreathtaking and ultra rare Bob Bugnand for Sam Friedlander designer dress dating back to the late 1960's. Bob Bugnand worked as the chief designer for Jacques Heim and Robert Piquet...Category
1960s Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1970 Courreges Hyperbole Orange Wool Space-Age Sleeveless Mod Mini DressBy Courrèges, André CourrègesLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVibrant and rare-to-find bright orange André Courrèges dress dating back to the early 1970's. Courreges launched his Space-Age collection in 1964. The ...Category
1970s French Mini Dresses
- LeSwim Red and Black Lips Print Halter Midi Dress Size SmallLocated in Paradise Island, BSFounded by Adriana Caras, LeSwim is a modern vision of luxury resort style, offering elevated swimwear and resort wear that travels beyond the beach. The clothing is made in the US, ...Category
2010s American Day Dresses
$297 Sale Price40% Off - LeSwim Red and Black Lips Print Halter Midi Dress Size XSLocated in Paradise Island, BSFounded by Adriana Caras, LeSwim is a modern vision of luxury resort style, offering elevated swimwear and resort wear that travels beyond the beach. The clothing is made in the U, o...Category
2010s American Day Dresses
$297 Sale Price40% Off - Vintage Vicky Tiel Couture Red Lace Strapless Party DressBy Vicky TielLocated in Beverly Hills, CA80s Vicky Tiel Couture red lace strapless mini cocktail dress. Size: 4 Bust: 32"/ Waist: 28" / Length 28"Category
1980s French Mini Dress
- 1950s Silvano of Roma for Heiser Red Gold Silver Dipped Hem Silk Mini Dress TopLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous vintage 50s SILVANO OF ROMA FOR HEISER red silk dip hem mini dress or top! Hard to find designer is hugely sought after! Features an all-over metallic brocade pattern in gol...Category
1950s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Neiman Marcus 1970s Red and Black Asian Inspired 70s Caftan Maxi DressBy Neiman MarcusLocated in San Diego, CASensational vintage NEIMAN MARCUS 1970s red and black embroidered Asian inspired kaftan / maxi dress! Lightweight red cotton, with black embroiderey at the bust, and alone every hem....Category
1970s American Kaftans
- Oscar de la Renta Embroidered Silk Caftan with Matching dress New!By Oscar De La RentaLocated in Los Angeles, CAOscar de la Renta 2 piece silk caftan Fashioned of rich tomato red silk with matching slipdress. Neckline adorned with heavily embellished gol...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Caftans
$2,240 Sale Price20% Off