An icon "Impossible to explain."
By Reshma Madhi
A legendary fashion icon that set the
standard for the high street shopping
experience. BIBA still captures the
imagination of those that experienced
the label in the swinging sixties as well
as generations today.
It’s a story of emotion and heartbreak.
The influence of Bibas founder,
Barbara Hulanicki OBE is one that
cant be denied. “In England, people
love nostalgia”. That’s the first remark
from Barbara when I ask her why it
remains so popular. Barbara still visits
London regularly where she bumps
into fans, old and new. “I meet people
who were babies at the time and say
oh my mum used to take me to the
Roof Garden and leave me there for
four hours.”
Barbara currently resides in Miami,
where she continues her passion as a
retail and design consultant. It was
Ronnie Wood, of The Rolling Stones,
that prompted her to come to Florida.
where he decided to open a nightclub.
Biba Begins
Starting as a humble mail-order
business, Biba‘s Postal Boutique
launched in 1963 and was named after
the nickname of Hulanicki's younger
sister.
In 1964, their pink gingham sleeveless
shift dress and matching headscarf
featured in The Daily Mirror’s fashion
pages. It was expected
to sell 3,000 units
after the piece was
published, however
went on to receive
over 17,000 orders!