Ossie Clark

After last season's small scale but much anticipated re-launch of iconic British label Ossie Clark, the powers that be at Ossie HQ moved the whole production to the official on-schedule venue at the tents. Despite the unprecedented sunny Sunday weather and the much greater capacity, the venue was packed with a crowd eager to see how head designer Avshalom Gur would continue to re-interpret the Ossie legacy for a 21st century market.

Gur has a lot on his plate this week. On Wednesday he shows his own-name label &emdash; a fact which, perhaps, goes some way to explaining the pared-down feel of this collection. But if the evolution of themes is slender the pieces that came out more than made up for it with their must-have summer appeal. Bright blocks of colour &emdash; rainforest parrot green, canary yellow, fuchsia, cerulean and burnt orange &emdash; pop on fine chiffons and silks which hug and drape around the body.

Simple silhouettes are long and lean on slouchy pantsuits, cowl necked dresses and trim jackets while blousier pieces are perfect for lounging around the pool or shooting the breeze at a soignée cocktail party. With a tough reputation for print excellence to live up to, the floral motifs trailing across delicate fabrics are a touch underwhelming but statement-making bejewelled panels erupting from hips, necklines and shoulders add a dash of luxurious surface detail.

Words: Maia Adams
Photos: Ian Gillett