The Biba label has always been a Holy Grail for several of our customers, so I thought this recent article would be of interest. Scroll on for some terrific vintage Biba photos and a bit more...
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For those new to the name, Biba was a phenomenon of fashion that ran its course from 1964 through the 1970s. The label began as a mail-order catalog, the brainchild of Briton Barbara Hulanicki, who was tired of stodgy fashion houses and instead created on-trend fashions for young women at very affordable prices. She flourished on high-turnover fast fashion. The idea was new, the look was new, and Biba soon became a storefront and a major London destination.
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For me personally, I've always loved Biba designs for their 1930s & 40s inspirations, their outlandishly cool personalities and their impact on 1970s fashion. They often remind me of uber-expensive Ossie Clark from the same era.
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It's interesting that in our experience, pricey Ossie is actually found more often than street-chic Biba. An interesting twist on this sought-after ready-to-wear label!
References:
Turner, Alwyn W. Biba: the Biba Experience. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2005. Print.
References:
Turner, Alwyn W. Biba: the Biba Experience. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2005. Print.