Clark Ossie

Ossie, pseudonym of Raymond Clark (1942-1996). He was one of the most important designers in Swinging London, the center of gravity for youth fashion and culture in the 1960s, together with Mary Quant, Barbara Hulanicki (Biba), Emmanuelle Kahn, and Zandra Rhodes. Born in Liverpool, he graduated from the Royal College of Arts in London and made his début in 1964 when he started to design clothes for the Quorum boutique in Chelsea, which was visited by the “golden youth” of the London pop scene. Clark Ossie became famous for his long hippie garments, multilayered gypsy clothes, and leather biker jackets. He had great ability in working with fabrics such as crepe, satin, jersey, and chiffon, often printed with patterns designed by his wife, Celia Birtwell. During the 1980s he worked at several different times for English firms, specializing in the creation of evening dresses. He was murdered at the age of 54.