"Ossie Clark: British Fashion Designers of the 60s and 70s"
2003-07-15 until 2004-05-02
Victoria and Albert Museum
London, , UK

The V&A will this summer celebrate the work of Ossie Clark, one of the most influential British fashion designers of the 60s and 70s. This mini-retrospective, featuring more than 60 garments, along with sketchbooks and photographs, will cover the period 1965-1974 when Clark’s designs helped define the spirit of fashionable London. From the maxi skirt to the ‘nude’ look and the trouser suit, Clark’s designs set new trends. In addition, his collaboration with his wife, the textile and interior designer Celia Birtwell, resulted in some of his best known and most popular creations.

Ossie Clark was a key figure in the world of photographers, designers, rock stars and other celebrities who took London by storm in the 60s and 70s. The famous and the fashionable wore Ossie Clark’s designs including Marianne Faithfull, Jimi Hendrix and Patti Boyd. He created jumpsuits for Mick Jagger, silk dresses for Bianca Jagger and dressed Eartha Kitt in snakeskin. Fashion icons like Twiggy, Veruschka, Jean Shrimpton and Penelope Tree modelled the clothes while David Bailey and Guy Bourdin took the photographs. Celebrity outfits in the show will include Twiggy's fur-lined snakeskin coat, the dress Celia Birwell posed in for David Hockney's famous double portrait Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy and Talhlita Getty's red cr*pe evening dress.

IMAGE
Ossie Clark
Pari in a lavender moss crepe
with Celia Birtwell chiffon print.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for United Kingdom

Other Important Exhibitions in London