Ossie Clark, Bar None, was about the most Original Fashion Designer from London during the 60s that I remember. Though his contemporaries included people like Zandra Rhodes and
Mary Quant, Ossie stands out even more today, because He was such a Visionary. You could easily pull out one of His Dresses today from your closet, wear it and receive accolades as if it just left the Runways this very Season. He was incredible! Ossie's sense of Color and Style guided by his use of clever Design, always made for a clothes that would almost seem effortless. They all had their own Jubilee of Fashion Glory. Undeniably, Ossie Clark influenced many, many other Fashion Designers of the Times and it showed as such, over and over again, on the Runways of Paris, Milan, NYC, Germany, you name it. They ALL copied his Look, Style and sense of Color extravaganza.
Ossie Clark is probably the most knocked-off fashion designer in the history of fashion. His designs look simple and effortless. But, his attention to details and ingenuity are unparalleled. He was well known for using moss crepe fabric and prints created by his wife Celia
Birtwell. She helped keep him intrigued in the business in many ways. His best support.
He quickly began to make his mark in the fashion industry, with Alice Pollock's exclusive boutique Quorum featuring his designs in 1966. Ossie had met Pollock at a party on the
Kings Road and so taken with the young designer was she that she immediately ordered a whole collection of dresses for her boutique. Ossie presented a collection of white and cream chiffon garments that sold fast. Pollock wanted Clark's clothes to have a more organic feel and so commissioned Celia Birtwell to produce special textiles for the next collection. In this way, one of fashions most famous collaborations was born: with Ossie Clark designing clothes and
Celia Birtwell designing prints. This partnership would last for almost all of Clark's career in fashion. Author Judith Watt comments: "Celia collaborated with Ossie. This was a joint effort. People say that she was his muse, which indeed she was, but their work absolutely went hand in hand. It was her designs that he used to create his. I think it's unfair that she not be given that voice".
