1970s fashion isn't for everyone - many will think 'bell bottoms' and crazy prints. However, a shallow dive into the world of 1970s fashion will show you romantic style influenced by the 1930s and 40s, art deco inspired prints and daring shapes.
In the world of fashion, few designers have left as lasting an impression as Ossie Clark. A central figure in the bohemian London fashion scene of the 1960s and 1970s, Clark's designs captured the spirit of the era and continue to inspire fashion lovers today. In this blog post, we'll explore the life and work of this legendary designer, with a focus on his iconic dresses from the 1970s.
Love the look? You can shop our own Ossie Clark & Biba-inspired collection here.
Who Was Ossie Clark?
Raymond "Ossie" Clark was born in Lancashire in 1942, studied at Manchester and then at London's Royal College of Art, and by the end of the 1960s was known as the "King of the King's Road". He designed for Alice Pollock's Chelsea boutique Quorum, and his clients included Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithfull and Liza Minnelli.
His signature was clothes that moved: dresses in moss crepe (a soft, clinging crepe with a pebbled surface) and chiffon, often cut on the bias, in muted colours or in printed fabrics by Celia Birtwell. That mix of romance and body-skimming cut is what Ossie Clark was famous for, and it is why original Ossie Clark dresses are collectors' pieces today.
In 2023, following my foray into mid 1970s style, we took the tentative step in recreating some of Ossie Clark's dresses. I am a huge fan of Ossie and own one of his garments which I bought well before the boom of interest - so I got a real bargain! Nowadays, an original OC dress can command up to £1500! Whilst The House of Foxy is better known for 1930s and 40s inspired clothing - as a business, we should always challenge ourselves and explore other styles - so we dipped our toe into this era within an era which we enjoyed immensely - you can shop the results in our Ossie Clark & Biba collection
1930s Influences
Ossie Clark was certainly inspired by 1930s styles in his designs and we love how he did this in his own way. In fact, he often incorporated elements of 1930s fashion into his 1970s creations, blending the two eras in a unique and innovative way.
Some examples of how Ossie Clark was inspired by the 1930s include:
- His use of bias-cut fabrics, which was a popular technique in 1930s fashion, as it allowed for a more fluid and drapey silhouette.
- His incorporation of Art Deco-inspired prints and patterns, which were popular in the 1930s and added a touch of glamour to his designs.
- His use of delicate beading and embellishments, which were common in 1930s evening wear and added a touch of luxury to his creations.
- Necklines and sleeves - you can quickly see the 1930s influences using yokes, shirring and gathers
Ossie & Celia
Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell were life partners as well as creative collaborators, and they married in 1969. Celia, a talented textile designer, created the bold, whimsical prints that often adorned Ossie's designs, and he cut them to move. The couple were friends with the painter David Hockney, who painted them with their cat Percy in Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, now at Tate Britain.
Together they were a fixture of the London fashion scene, known for their bohemian style and effortless cool, and their influence can still be seen in contemporary fashion today. For more 1970s glamour, read 1976: Celebrating 50 Years of Style or the 1970s style guide.
