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Celia Birtwell

(1941-), Textile designer

Sitter in 1 portrait
Textile and fashion designer Celia Birtwell is known for her bold, romantic and feminine designs. She studied textile design at Salford School of Art in 1956, where she met fashion designer Ossie Clark. The two married in 1969. In 1965 Birtwell began designing for Clark's collections, through which she gained critical acclaim. From 1967-73 Birtwell and Clark dressed famous figures including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Twiggy. In the 1970s Birtwell became a muse for David Hockney. She left the fashion industry in 1973, but resumed designing in 1984 - opening a a shop in Notting Hill and making her name in interiors. In 2011 she received a CBE for her outstanding contribution to fashion.

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George Clark; Celia Birtwell

by Johnny Dewe-Mathews
colour print on card mount, May-June 1974
NPG x979

Related People

George Clark (son)
Raymond ('Ossie') Clark (husband)

Groups

Fashion designers

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Celia Birtwell