Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell: Swinging London Fashion Icons in Milan
In Milan, the Fondazione Sozzani presents a retrospective dedicated to Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, curated by Federico Poletti in partnership with Museo del Tessuto di Prato, where it first appeared in autumn 2022. Sponsored by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, the exhibition examines their creative output from 1965 to 1974, showcasing their flower power aesthetic and cultural significance. It features thirty notable pieces, such as the 'aeroplane' mini-dress (1969) and ensembles worn by Amanda Lear (1968). The collection includes materials like crepe and chiffon, as well as notebooks and video footage of runway shows. Their boutique, Quorum, attracted famous clients like Elizabeth Taylor and Marianne Faithfull. A comprehensive catalog accompanies the exhibition, drawing from diverse archives.
Key facts
- Exhibition at Fondazione Sozzani, Milan, curated by Federico Poletti
- In collaboration with Museo del Tessuto di Prato, debuted autumn 2022
- Under patronage of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana
- Focus on Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell's work 1965-1974
- Thirty garments on display including 'aeroplane' mini-dress (1969)
- Materials include crepe, chiffon, pop patterns, snakeskin
- Boutique Quorum on Radnor Walk, London
- Clients included Marianne Faithfull, Bianca Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Bardot, Pattie Boyd, Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix, Anita Pallenberg, Eric Clapton
- Anticipated nude look and gender fluidity
- Advanced silk-screen printing by Ivo Prints
- Archives from Massimo Cantini Parrini, Lauren Lepire, Birtwell, and Clark family
- Catalog with illustrations and unpublished interventions available
Entities
Artists
- Ossie Clark
- Celia Birtwell
- Federico Poletti
- David Hockney
- Jim Lee
- Massimo Cantini Parrini
- Lauren Lepire
- Amanda Lear
- Jane Birkin
- Marianne Faithfull
- Bianca Jagger
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Brigitte Bardot
- Pattie Boyd
- Keith Richards
- Jimi Hendrix
- Anita Pallenberg
- Eric Clapton
- Vivienne Westwood
- Malcolm McLaren
- Madeleine Vionnet
- Twiggy
- Antonioni
- The Beatles
Institutions
- Fondazione Sozzani
- Museo del Tessuto di Prato
- Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana
- Quorum
- Salford School of Art
- Ivo Prints
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Prato
- London
- Kings Road
- Radnor Walk
- Manchester
- Los Angeles
- United States