Book Find of the Month-Gianni Versace and also my Decade Musings!!

I thought I'd take a wander to my local Sue Ryder as I hadn't visited it for quite a little while. I was pleased I did as I found this V&A book, The Art and Craft of Gianni Versace which accompanied the first major exhibition in the UK since Gianni's death.

I haven't read it, but had to show these wonderful pictures of his stunning works:

Famed for his bright and bold prints back in the 80s and 90s, this book is a wonderful representation of his designs and collections and also features Donatellas work too.

I would definitely recommend this and I can't wait to have a proper read through!!

I am a fan of vintage and if I have to choose favourite designers, my long term favourite is definitely Ossie Clark. I love Celia Birtwells prints and paired with the cuts of Ossies dresses, his pieces are simply stunning. I also love Jean Varons floaty floral maxi dresses and also the era of Studio 54 and the disco glam clothes. Maybe because the 80s was my era, I adored body con pieces-still do and would happily dress in Hunza and lycra tight dresses back in the day, what with Alaia being out of my price range!! I also love Thierry Muglers sculptural shapes and am fortunate to have a couple of his vintage pieces too.

Over the last few months I've really fell for Gianni Versaces work-I love the vibrant colours and patterns and the tight clothes he designed back in the day. So to find this book was a fabulous find for me. I now have my copy of Judith Watts Ossie Clark 1965-1974 and now The Art and Craft of Gianni Versace, which fulfills my vintage style inspirations from the late 60s to the late 90s.

What decades are you inspired by and are there any designers whose work you especially love?

Kate Moss dress-Ossie Inspired?

This is one of Kate Moss's new 'vintage inspired' dresses, just launched yesterday on Topshops website. Kate is an avid fan of vintage and has her own extensive collection.

I wonder if this Ossie Clark for Radley dress of mine could have been behind her inspiration for this dress?

I'm happy that mine is the real deal-vintage, that is!!

A Shout Out for Ossie Clark on T4

Hi everyone!! Hope you are enjoying your Sunday! I've been indulging in a bit of TV earlier and flicking through, I noticed on Channel 4 a program I hadn't watched before, called Frock Me on T4. I thought I'd check it out, as it promised some vintage goodies.

The show is hosted by the the hottest young people of the moment-Alexa Chung and Henry Holland, the designer. I was very excited to see an interview with Leah Wood, who had brought in a selection of her vintage wardrobe and of course, it included a lovely purple number by the master himself, Ossie Clark!!

Alexa getting to grip with the Ossie Clark

The Ossie Clark number is the purple one in the middle, next to it is Leah Woods gold sequin vintage number by Roberto Cavalli

Leah Wood, daughter of Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood and Jo Wood, whose attic is raided by Leah for her vintage pieces

Next up was a selection of Terry De Havilland vintage and new shoes-exquisite platforms that are still in style today

Then more Ossie!! Thanks Chris, for getting these pictures, any longer and I'd of missed them!!

They were advocating how Ossie Clark is the vintage master of the era. Also, if you are soo lucky to find one, be it by thrifting the charity shops or boot sales, then hang on to it for dear life, even if its too small-thanks Henry!!

This one is also an original Ossie Clark, with a Celia Birtwell print-maybe it was Alexas or Leahs!

I love a shout out for Ossie Clark, its great how young girls really appreciate the cut and style of his work and want to grab a piece of the action-check out Ebay if this has whetted your appetite!

Ossie Clark-Now and Then

A few nights ago, I was watching Steve McQueens biography (updated to add:the programme name was Steve McQueen:The Essence of Cool, ITV4) on TV and Ali McGraw was featured in part of the show. She gave me inspiration to do an Ossie Clark post, but I wasn't sure how to incorporate it. Wonderful Silje had exactly the same idea to feature Ali, unbeknown to me-our 6th sense at work again and she has already done a stunning 70s post, currently on show-do check it out for gorgeous pictures of her and 70s icons, showing how fabulous 70s vintage fashion is!

Anyway, I wanted to show how legendary Ossie Clarks collections were and still are-what better way than to show you past and present famous fashionistas wearing his clothes-enjoy!!!

Ali McGraw in both pictures above

Twiggy





Cathy McGowan

Liza Minnelli


Geri Halliwell



Sienna Miller

Rachel Weiss

Keira Knightley

Jessica Simpson

New Ossie Clark Dress!

I finally managed to get an Ossie Clark floral dress into my collection! I purchased it from EBay and I must say, although it is a very perfect fit, it unfortunately suffers more damage than what the seller admitted to. The material is very sheer, so damage is to be expected, but it should have been sold with a more honest description. Saying that, I still love it and because of the florals, the flaw holes (approx 3 or 4) are not immediately visible. At least I can treat this dress as a summer day dress and wear it without thinking about cosseting it too much.

Ossie Clark by Radley double layer tiered dress-my first floral in my collection!!

Ossie Clark

As you are aware from my blog and website, I am an ardent Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell fan. I do however have two major regrets regarding my appreciation of Ossie.

1. The Sale of my first Ossie Clark for Radley dress (full story on my website) which happened because I was not fully appreciative of Ossie and collecting and because I needed the money :-(

2. That I was not into Ossie pre May 2004- a big mistake, as I missed out on the Victoria and Albert Museum's retrospective, which by all accounts looks like it should definitely not have been missed.

Ho, hum........so I reconcile myself by checking out my favourite websites, which all offer a good dose of Ossie Clark images and items for sale.

This dress is the same print and material as the one I sold, but mine was a short sleeve version without the neck detail and in mint condition (boohoo!) This dress is currently for sale on C20Vintage's website-check it out!

Lovely images of Ossie Clark's works of art, currently shown on the Victoria and Albert Museums website.

I still am looking out via boot sales and charity shops for that elusive find-wish me luck!