Ossie Clark: The Golden Years

One of my favourite gifts this Christmas was a book by Judith Watt entitled, Ossie Clark 1965/74 (published by V&A).  It’s the first book to focus on his work during his golden period of the 1960′s and 1970′s.  Ossie Clark certainly has to be remembered as one of the most important designers in British fashion.  His clothes were always superbly cut using a wide range of fabric weights from transparent chiffon to heavy wool and his collaboration with former wife, the textile designer Celia Birtwell, was one of the most successful partnerships of the time. Together they produced some of the most seductive and inspiring clothing.  Ossie was to influence many other designers including Yves Saint Laurent, Anna Sui and Tom Ford.

Raymond “Ossie” Clark was born in Liverpool in 1942 and lived his formative years in Warrington.  He then studied at the Regional College Of Art in Manchester, now known as Manchester Metropolitan University and in 1962,  moved to London to study fashion at the Royal College of Art.  He was endlessly innovative; his trouser suit of 1964 predated Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking by two years.

Here are some examples of what you can expect to see in the book.   It’s a great read with lots of beautiful photography, illustrations and commentary from the people who knew him best.

Black and white bias-cut dress with fabric by Robert Indiana and pink dress with large white spots and a cotton swatch

 

Cream rayon crepe dress and coat c.1970-1

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