Ossie Clark Labels: History and How to Date Them
Appraise a photo of yours, free.
Ossie Clark (1934 to 1996) was a London designer whose dresses, often in Celia Birtwell prints, defined the late 1960s and early 1970s. Whether a piece was made for the Quorum boutique or for the cheaper Radley line affects both date and value.
Company history
The Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG) records that Clark went to work at Alice Pollock's Quorum boutique in 1965 with textile designer Celia Birtwell, whom he later married; our 1960s hub dates his selling through Quorum from 1966 (citing Wikipedia). Birtwell's romantic prints on chiffon, velvet and rayon crepe were cut by Clark into dresses with plunging necklines, long sleeves and layered-looking panels; he also made popular snakeskin pieces.
In 1969 Alfred Radley became a partner in Quorum and Clark began designing for Radley as well. The VFG notes that Radley garments were not always designed entirely by Clark, as Radley designers adapted his sketches and patterns, and they were much more affordable. By the end of the 1970s his career was largely over. The label was revived in 2008 and closed after the fall 2009 collection.
Label timeline
| Label or clue | Approximate dates | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Quorum | From 1965 or 1966 | Boutique pieces, the most sought after |
| Radley | From 1969 | More affordable line, not always designed entirely by Clark |
| Revival label | 2008 to 2009 | Modern, not period Ossie Clark |
What it helps date
- Quorum and Radley pieces belong to the late 1960s and 1970s.
- A modern care label or fibre content points to the revival: care labels, designer label fakes.
Values
Our vintage dress values guide puts the middle half of 16 auction results at about $150 to $440, with a mid-1970s moss crepe "Cuddly" wrap dress at about $1,641 (Barnebys); Celia Birtwell prints add value. Prices are estimates as of 2026.
check sold prices for ossie clark vintage dress on eBay
Sources
Not sure what you have? Appraise a photo
Free vintage label dating cheat sheet, by email:
Guides that mention Ossie Clark
- 1960s Vintage Clothing: How to Date and Value ItDate and value 1960s clothing: early-60s polish to mod and hippie looks, new synthetics, coil zippers, label laws, and 2026 price ranges.
- 1970s Vintage Clothing: How to Date and Value ItDate and value 1970s clothing: hippie, prairie, disco and designer-jeans looks, polyester and Qiana, care labels from 1972, and 2026 price ranges.
- Vintage Dress Values: Prices by Era, Label and ConditionRealistic 2026 price ranges for vintage and antique dresses, Victorian to 1990s, by era and label, with auction results and what moves the price.
- What Is My Vintage Dress Worth? A 5-Step MethodWork out what your vintage dress is worth in five steps: date it, check it is genuine, grade condition, find sold comparables and choose where to sell.
Related
- Dating Vintage Clothing by the Care LabelHow US, Canadian and European care labels date a garment: the 1971 FTC rule, the 1983 rewrite, 1997 symbols, and the clues that fool people.
- How to Spot Fake Designer Labels on Vintage ClothingTell a genuine vintage designer piece from a counterfeit, licensed product or adaptation by checking the label, construction, fabric and history.
- Vintage Dress Values: Prices by Era, Label and ConditionRealistic 2026 price ranges for vintage and antique dresses, Victorian to 1990s, by era and label, with auction results and what moves the price.
- ACWA Union Labels: History and How to Date ThemDate men's suits, coats and shirts by the ACWA union label: the first label of 1916, the 1949 design with and without the registered mark, and ACTWU.