Ossie Clark: The King of the King’s Road Reigns Again

Proud Chelsea is delighted to present an exquisite retrospective on the life and style of Ossie Clark: a diverse collection of personal shots of the designer at work, and various style icons and rock legends wearing his creations.

Controversial, iconoclastic, quintessentially British, Ossie Clark was the undisputed ‘King of King’s Road', London’s fashion Mecca. Praised for his intuitive understanding of the female form and renowned for the daring and panache with which he mixed and matched prints and fabrics: Ossie’s collections were radically different with an effortless mix of surrealism and pop-art; Hollywood glamour and Soho bohemia.

Coinciding with the launch of Ossie Clark London label this February, Proud Chelsea will be exhibiting vintage gowns and design sketches alongside a collection of rare photographic prints – a true celebration of Ossie Clark. The collection will include images of the designer in Quorum taken by Eric Swayne and casual snaps of Ossie with friends and family (including personal friend and artist David Hockey) taken by Peter Schlesinger.

Also on display are a series of beautiful fashion photography prints from the 70s’ top creatives: ethereal pastel photo shoots of Ossie’s floral gowns from Norman Parkinson; bold frames of Ossie’s acid jumpsuits taken by Robert Whitaker; and psychedelic, out-of-this-world fashion photography from Jim Lee.

With fans like Marianne Faithfull, The Stones, Liza Minnelli, The Beatles and The Who, Proud Chelsea will also exhibit shots of 70s sensation Twiggy in Ossie Clark designs (photographed by early boyfriend, Justin de Villeneuve) and rock legend Mick Jagger in a custom made Ossie Clark jumpsuit, captured on camera by Johnny Dewe Mathews.

A celebration of 70s style in London’s fashion hub, this exhibition documents Ossie Clark’s private moments, greatest creations and his most ardent celebrity fans: The King of the King’s Road Reigns Again at Proud Chelsea.