BIBA
254 Kensington High Street, W8
Biba, probably the best known of all the boutiques, began business six years ago with a mail order offer of a gingham shift and scarf for 25s, because fashion illustrator Barbara Hulanicki thought it was impossible to buy inexpensive well designed clothes and decided to do something about it. At the end of last year, in premises 16 times the size of the original boutique in Abingdon Road, Biba opened as a store selling not only clothes but also accessories, make up and home furnishings, Barbara Hulanicki’s distinctive style is carried through all her designs, sold only at the store and by mail order catalogue. She works with her husband, Stephen Fitzsimon.
Barbara Hulanicki in the store, where carpets and furnishings have all been designed with complementary colours and patterns. Child’s dress, 6 gns.
On the mezzanine floor. Crepe coat and trousers, 15 gns
Mirrored on the staircase: a slim crepe dress, 9 gns.
Printed Tricel dress, 9 gns.
Hair by Barbara Hulanicki. Photos by Duffy.
Liz Eggleston 
I wish I could have shopped at Biba. Those interiors must have been the height of glamour in Britain in 1970. Love the tricel dress too xx
Intersting that she thought 6 guineas was cheap!
Thank you so much for all these pics, never seen them before!
This is my favourite Biba store just before it all got super huge, I want everything in these pictures, especially the blue frock with teh criss crossy front.
yes, it was a lot of fun. The first shop, I think, to have a communal changing room. I remember buying a mini jumpsuit in olive and teal striped jersey.
Must have been so much fun. Love the shag pile rug x
There always seems something incredibly glamorous about Biba – perhaps it’s the way the boutique was styled. I love the 60s/70s take on Edwardiana/Deco…