Ossie Clark’s sons threaten to sue

The return of Ossie Clark - the iconic label, synonymous with Sixties London - was soured yesterday when the late designer's sons announced that they are considering taking legal action over the use of their father's name. The newly revived fashion brand made its 21st-century debut on the second day of London Fashion Week. But just as the models stepped off the catwalk, Clark's sons issued a statement saying they want to "reclaim their father's name to prevent its continued and unauthorised exploitation". They said they "object to how their father's name is now being exploited in a way that he would not have wanted and without their consent".
 
Ossie Clark's original designs symbolised the Swinging Sixties with their languid lounge suits, long dresses and psychedelic prints, produced by his then-wife Celia Birtwell. Clark was killed in 1996 by a former lover. The label was revived by Marc Worth, the founder of the retail trends website WGSN. Last year he bought the Ossie Clark licence and yesterday held the first show, under the creative direction of Avsh Alom Gur, who has previously worked at Donna Karan and Chloe. The label's parent company, Quorum OC, issued its own statement, saying: "There has been significant contact with the sons of Ossie Clark and their legal representatives for some months."
 
Ironically, the clothes showcased by Avsh Alom paid homage to the designer. "The clothes in yesterday's show could not have been more respectful of his legacy, arguably too much so," writes Hadley Freeman in the Guardian. "While some pieces, such as a simple burnished red knit dress with a patent tie and a long-sleeved knee-length dress with Mondrian-like block colours could just about be worn today, many of the pieces looked too much like costumes for a Seventies revival party."
 
By contrast, other shows were far more fashion forward. Young London designer Louise Goldin 's second collection took Star Trek as a starting point with cobalt and orange knits and futuristic mini-skirts and leggings. Eley Kishimoto - the label run by husband-and-wife team Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto - offered polka dots and geometric patterns. ·