Mini-Dress thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Mini-Dress

1969 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Barbara Hulanicki lauched the Biba label with her husband John Fitz Simon in 1963, initially selling clothes by mail order through newspaper advertisements. The success of her affordable, fashionable designs enabled them to open a series of shops in Kensington, London.

This dress appeared in the Summer 1969 mail order catalogue. Marion Kite, an art school student, wore the dress for special occasions in London, and also on holiday in Cornwall. Mini-dresses were popular with Biba customers in the late 1960s, alongside longer dresses and trousers with wide flares. Holiday dresses such as this were even shorter than the standard Biba dress length.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Printed cotton plain weave
Brief description
Printed cotton mini-dress, designed by Biba, retailed in London, 1969
Physical description
Printed cotton mini-dress with long gathered sleeves. Plain weave. Pink flowers on a white ground. A zip runs up the back.
Dimensions
  • Nape of neck to hem length: 74cm
  • Bust width: 34cm
  • Sleeve length: 70cm
  • Circumference: 789mm (Note: bust)
  • Circumference: 710mm (Note: waist)
  • Width: 296mm (Note: shoulder seam to shoulder seam)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Marion Kite
Subject depicted
Summary
Barbara Hulanicki lauched the Biba label with her husband John Fitz Simon in 1963, initially selling clothes by mail order through newspaper advertisements. The success of her affordable, fashionable designs enabled them to open a series of shops in Kensington, London.

This dress appeared in the Summer 1969 mail order catalogue. Marion Kite, an art school student, wore the dress for special occasions in London, and also on holiday in Cornwall. Mini-dresses were popular with Biba customers in the late 1960s, alongside longer dresses and trousers with wide flares. Holiday dresses such as this were even shorter than the standard Biba dress length.
Collection
Accession number
T.10-1982

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Record createdMay 8, 2007
Record URL
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