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The husband and wife design team of Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell was harmonious in many ways, some of the most brilliant pieces being collaborations of Ossie's silhouette and Celia's printed textile. But Celia was incredibly influential on Ossie and her very being was the reason so many of Ossie's things are the way they are. So while an Ossie piece may not have a Celia Birtwell print (and many do not), you can still see Celia in every curve and keyhole. At a time when waif models were the standard, Ossie designed dresses for women with curves - because that was the kind of woman that Celia was. Doe-eyed and all soft, Celia was a whole new breed of woman and in turn, created a whole new breed of fashion. Unusual for Ossie to use wool, this black wool crepe dress dates to the mid/late 60s and has a fantastic ruffled double collar that is actually more like dorsal fins when you see it from the back. Running parallel to the armholes, the way the top ruffle lays over it makes it look like a double collar but they run straight over the shoulder and stop on the shoulderblade. Keyhole neckline that closes at the throat with a hidden lingerie hook and attached ties at each side of the waist to tie in a bow at the back, the shoulders are gathered and the hem longer on the sides than in the front and back. Magnificent on the body, this is beautiful with YSL platform loafer pumps - something very high with substantial heels, and hair tossed up messily with lots of little curls falling down. Bearing the Ossie couture (a designation newly coined by the Victoria and Albert in London) label, the bust measures 36", shoulder to shoulder 14.5", outer sleeve 23.5" and length 41". Ideally suited for a modern 8 or small 10 and in excellent condition. sold |
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