Celia Birtwell:" The Face That Launched A Thousand Prints"

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen

This is a beautiful book filled with drawings, fashion sketches and prints by Celia. She and Dominic Lutyens wrote it together.  The flowered print cover design invites you into a garden, constantly changing, ever detailed and always colourful.   Gardens, galleries, home, street fashion and people are sources of inspiration for her prints. First you have to go through the book just to look at it and then secondly to read about her life and career.  The dedication to her grandchildren: "Thank you for keeping me constantly amused and on my toes", tells much about her enjoyment of the lighter side and her 'forever young' philosophy.  Although this book is about her creativity and talent, she talks more about the people who influenced her and the value and fun of collaboration, but you do know when you look at her work, how much came from her, alone. 

Drawing and designing outfits from the time she was very young, she said Art School saved her and helped her to meet like minded people.  She credits her family and friends with continuous support along the way. She found lots of heroes along the way: Elvis, David Hockney, Brando, Hailie Selassie, Alain Delon and more.  And herein lies another talent: the ability to see and appreciate the talent in others.   She was always working, from waitressing to designing wigs and dresses for the theatre.  She is constantly working and learning!  All of what she sees, in gardens, in galleries and on the screen are adapted for every day wear. She looks not only at her own culture but also around the world.  Her designs reflect the past, present and future.  She is credited with the invention of the midi skirt for the Bonnie and Clyde look.  She designed with paper and other unique materials.  She painted on material, embroidered on it and tie dyed it.   Although her prints were worn at first by the rich and famous stars of the 60's and 70's, they are loved by many and wearable by all. She and her former husband, designer Ossie Clark were a fabulous design team but she has continued on her own to develop and expand her designs.  In fact, she designed a line of clothing for Topshop and her collection sold out immediately.  She has an online shop that features vintage fashion, fabrics and accessories and will always create more.  In 2011 she was awarded the CBE for her services to the British Fashion Industry.  This is a book of Art as well as a great read and I highly recommend it.