Accrington Web - Ozzie Clark

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Influential in seventies fashion, Ozzie Clark came from Oswaldtwistle. He and Celia Birtwell (later a fabric designer) both attended Manchester College of Art where the pair met the painter David Hockney in 1961.Both men went on to study at the Royal College of Art in London. When Ozzie and Celia married in 1969, Hockney was their best man. Hockney painted them in their flat in Notting Hill Gate, west London, an area where the artist and a number of his friends then lived. “Mr and Mrs. Ozzie Clarke and Percy” (Tate Gallery, London.) Is arguably one of the best known of Hockney’s paintings. Sadly, the marriage did not last, though Hockney continued to use Celia as a model

here are a couple of samples of Clark's work

Nice one Bob! I love the clothes! Where did you get this info. from? Is there any more to add?

Ozzie ("Oz") Clark

Ossie Clark from Ossie - "rags to riches to rags" - he grew up above a chip shop in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle. His real name was Raymond and although he left Oswalstwislte when he was seven, he had fond memories of the place, and so took the name "Oz"
In his time "Oz", designed clothes for The Beatles and Jerry Hall. He became world famous for his outfits. He was hailed as "King of Kings Road".
He was found, stabbed to death, at his council flat in Notting Hill, West London in August, 1996. Although a brilliant designer, he admitted he was no good with money and had quite a few business disasters.
Here is a photo in his heyday and one taken shortly before he died.

Ozzie Clark - more info.

A book has been written about Ossie Clark who is classed as being one of the most influential British fasion designers of the 60's and 70's. An exhibition of his work has just finished at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It featured more than 60 garments, along with sketchbooks and photographs.
He was a well known figure in the world of photographers, designers, rock stars and other celebrities. Many famous people wore his creations including Marianne Faithfull, Jimi Hendrix, Patti Boyd. He created jumpsuits for Mick Jagger, silk dresses for Bianca Jagger and dressed Eartha Kitt in snakeskin! Liz Taylor,Brigite Bardot, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Andy Warhol also wore his clothing.

Famous models of the time modelled his clothes i.e. Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton whilst famous photographers took the photo i.e. David Bailey. From the maxi skirt to the "nude" look and the trouser suit, Clark's designs set new trends. He also worked well with his wife, textile and interior designer Celia Birtwell. She created beautifully printed fabrics, he created superbly cut clothes, they made a good team! They had two sons, Albert and George.

His mass produced clothes became "affordable" to the ordinary person

I think there is an exhibition on now until November at the Museum of Bath

Just a small point, Ossie Clarke wasn't born in Ossy, he was evacuated here from Stockport. He attended Moor End Primary School, were he sat next to Mick Ware[now a builder in the town,] who remembers how fantastic he was @ painting.