From A to Biba by Barbara Hulanicki and Biba: The Biba Experience by Alwyn W. Turner are treasured books in my personal library, so when I went to see the last exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum I didn't necessarily learn anything new, but seeing so many original Biba pieces in one place was a treat in itself.
Covering the story of legendary brand Biba from the opening of it's first boutique on Abingdon Road in Kensington up to the closure of their monumental department store, Big Biba, on Kensington High Street, it showcased a number of iconic pieces across the two floors, as well as a selection of Barbara Hulanicki's own fashion illustrations and assorted items from the Big Biba beauty and grocery departments!
I love this quilted suit
Three of my favourite pieces; The brown dress was made in a beautiful needlecord fabric, the shirt dress I've loved since I saw it in the Biba Experience book, and along with the purple dress has really intriguing L-shape darts at the bust that I've never seen anywhere else. If anyone has any insight on why or how they're used I'd love to hear it.
Easily the most stylish lentil packaging I've ever seen, can you imagine having your kitchen cupboards stocked with Biba groceries?! I also love these playing cards and match books, this is what they mean when they describe Biba as the world's first lifestyle brand.
Inspiration to draw more if ever I needed it, such confident line work and sparing use of colour and shade.
The mail order dress that started it all (and a very patronising newspaper feature in the background). Honestly, not my favourite piece on display, but it also has a very interesting use of darts, this time it looks like there's a standard horizontal bust dart and then a vertical waist dart intersecting at the top. I might have try and draft something with this to see what it does.
Starting such an iconic business like this though, can you imagine it happening now?
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