Ossie Clark For Radley Pink Crepe Maxi Dress With Keyhole Neckline
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 59 in (149.86 cm)Bust: 29 in (73.66 cm)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3573329603
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Studio City, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chanel Pink Velvet Burnout Dress w/Self Belt ca. 1970'sBy ChanelLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Chanel "Creation" label pink silk velvet burnout dress w/extra long ties at the back neck, a dropped waist, a self-belt and nude fabric lining at the interior. In excellent co...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Floral Print Chiffon Layered Sleeveless Tunic-Style DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Studio City, CAVintage Yves Saint Laurent pink floral printed chiffon double-layered sleeveless tunic-style dress with an elastic waistband at the interior tunic dress, a gathered elastic neckline,...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- 1970's Leonard Silk Jersey Form Fitting Floral Day Dress with Flutter SleevesBy LeonardLocated in Studio City, CAUnusual knee-length day dress by Parisian designer, Leonard made from silk jersey. Dress features a cowl neckline, flutter sleeves, two frontal ties at the waste and a graphic floral...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Rare 1982 S/S Michaele Vollbracht Bacon & Eggs Print Checked Pinafore DressBy Michaele VollbrachtLocated in Studio City, CA1982 S/S Michaele Vollbracht iconic black plaid on white pinafore dress featuring a breakfast scene replete with bacon and eggs w/yellow sequin yokes served on a plate, a steaming cu...Category
1980s American Day Dresses
- Vintage Anne Klein Silk Mini Dress w/Ikat Print & ElephantsBy Anne KleinLocated in Studio City, CAVintage Anne Klein from the Donna Karan era mini dress w/Ikat-style print featuring elephants and humans wearing hats standing under a temple.Shoulder ties fasten at the back by mean...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- 1971 Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Lips Print DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CAThe celebrated 1971 Yves Saint Laurent lips print dress from the collection that was panned when it came out but now universally revered. We are so luc...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 1999 Amour au Soleil Bodycon Mesh Maxi DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier Soleil 1999 Vintage Amour au Soleil Bodycon Mesh Maxi Dress Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil Vintage Amour au Soleil dress featuring bodycon fit and exposed front zip c...Category
1990s Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Pink Cotton Dress With Front Zipper & 2 Belt OptionsBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Portland, ORThis lovely vintage early 1980s Yves Saint Laurent dress is in a pretty pink cotton. The dress has 2 front patch pockets, a mandarin collar, cap sleeves, and slits in the skirt with a front zip closure with a loop pull. This dress comes with both a YSL patent leather...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Vintage Pauline Trigere Salmon Pink Dress With Keyhole Slit and Pleated SkirtBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Portland, ORWe love Pauline Trigere vintage dresses and this pretty salmon peachy pink vintage dress was purchased in the 1970's at Henry Harris of C...Category
1970s American Informal Dresses
- Lanvin Pink Silk Shirt Dress - 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis fun Lanvin silk shirt dress is hot pink. It features a collar, a front pocket, long sleeves, and snap decorations on the shoulders. This dress is in good condition with some sta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- A Christian Dior/Gianfranco Ferré Couture Pink Chiffon Dress Circa 1990By Gianfranco Ferré for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1989 - 1990 France Cocktail dress in raspberry pink silk muslin from Dior-Gianfranco Ferré. Bodice inspired by 1940's Fashion, fully corseted and lined with matching chiffon ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Long sleeveless printed jersey dress Emilio Pucci for Formfit Rodgers Circa 1960By Emilio PucciLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRLong sleeveless printed jersey dress. Silk lining. Branded fabric: EPFR ( Emilio Pucci for Formfit Rodgers) SIZE SCategory
1960s Italian Maxi Dresses