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Amanda Lear: Leader of the (Fashion) Pack

May 29, 2013 by WendyB

The name Amanda Lear has long rattled around in the back of my mind particularly because she modeled for one of my all-time favorite designers, Ossie Clark, in the 1960s. Here she is in one of his simpler-looking ensembles …

amandalear

Amanda Lear in Ossie Clark, via Pinterest. Click for source.

… and here she is in one of Celia Birtwell’s famous prints for Ossie.

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Courtesy Vogue Italia. Click for source and more photos.

She was a friend and muse to Surrealist Salvador Dali and linked to Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, resulting in the 1967 song, “Miss Amanda Jones.” In 1973 — when she was dating Bryan Ferry, the lead singer of Roxy Music — she was the cover model for that band’s For Your Pleasure album.

For Your Pleasure - Roxy Music

Click to buy on Amazon.

Later that decade, she started putting out her own records in her latest incarnation as disco queen. So how did I not encounter this highlarious video for her song  “Fashion Pack (Studio 54)” till this week?  The song is fun because it namechecks Studio 54 habituees, including Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger and Liza Minnelli. But the video is even better, especially when Amanda rips off her white satin sailor pants to reveal a totally unwrinkled disco dress that falls below the knee. Was that whole dress stuffed in the pants? Who cares? I love it.

When you hear Amanda’s deep voice, you’ll understand why there were rumors that she was a MAN, baby. Another case of nothing is new under the sun — not even gossip — which may be some consolation to Lady Gaga, also the subject of such rumors.

According to her Wikipedia entry, Amanda Lear was born in 1939. Or 1946. Or 1950. That’s a pretty wide range. She’s an international woman of mystery!

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Filed Under: lady gaga, music, Ossie Clark

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Miss Peelpants says

    May 30, 2013 at 7:05 am

    Love her!

    If you haven’t seen it already, you need to watch this 1969 German programme which features Amanda Lear and Kari-Ann Muller(another Roxy girl) AND Pattie Boyd modelling Ossie gear!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8TcDnKT4TU

    • WendyB says

      May 30, 2013 at 9:06 am

      Love that!

  2. Mary Panjari says

    May 30, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Wow I remember this! Thanks for a most excellent post Wendy. Love reading about interesting characters that I haven’t thought about for like ever!

    • WendyB says

      May 30, 2013 at 9:06 am

      Once in a while, we need a reminder to rip off our white satin pants and DANCE!

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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