Dress
1964 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Barbara Hulanicki and her husband John Fitz Simon lauched the Biba label in 1963, initially selling clothes by mail order through newspaper advertisements. The success of Hulanicki's affordable designs enabled them to open a small shop in Abingdon Road, Kensington the following year.
Many of London’s fashionable new boutiques catered only for well-off customers, but at Biba the clothes were much cheaper, so young working women could shop alongside models, singers and TV celebrities. Twiggy, Cilla Black and Ready Steady Go! presenter Cathy McGowan were all loyal customers. And the atmosphere was unique. Loud music, stylish staff, chaotic communal changing rooms and dimly-lit period interiors: these defined a new kind of shopping experience.
Simple shift dresses were amongst the most popular of Hulanicki's early designs. The nautical stripe and Peter Pan collar of this minidress are reminiscent of a child's sailor suit, giving it a youthful appeal which was typical of early Biba.
Many of London’s fashionable new boutiques catered only for well-off customers, but at Biba the clothes were much cheaper, so young working women could shop alongside models, singers and TV celebrities. Twiggy, Cilla Black and Ready Steady Go! presenter Cathy McGowan were all loyal customers. And the atmosphere was unique. Loud music, stylish staff, chaotic communal changing rooms and dimly-lit period interiors: these defined a new kind of shopping experience.
Simple shift dresses were amongst the most popular of Hulanicki's early designs. The nautical stripe and Peter Pan collar of this minidress are reminiscent of a child's sailor suit, giving it a youthful appeal which was typical of early Biba.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cotton |
| Brief description | Cotton dress, made by Biba, Great Britain, 1964 |
| Physical description | Blue and white striped cotton dress with white cotton collar and cuffs. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Jill Harrup |
| Production | This Biba's Postal Boutique dress was promoted in the Daily Express, 22 June, 1964, with an illustration by Barbara Hulanicki, under the headline 'Sit back and take it easy'. See Barbara Hulanicki and Martin Pell, 'The Biba Years', (V&A Publications, 2014, p.34) |
| Summary | Barbara Hulanicki and her husband John Fitz Simon lauched the Biba label in 1963, initially selling clothes by mail order through newspaper advertisements. The success of Hulanicki's affordable designs enabled them to open a small shop in Abingdon Road, Kensington the following year. Many of London’s fashionable new boutiques catered only for well-off customers, but at Biba the clothes were much cheaper, so young working women could shop alongside models, singers and TV celebrities. Twiggy, Cilla Black and Ready Steady Go! presenter Cathy McGowan were all loyal customers. And the atmosphere was unique. Loud music, stylish staff, chaotic communal changing rooms and dimly-lit period interiors: these defined a new kind of shopping experience. Simple shift dresses were amongst the most popular of Hulanicki's early designs. The nautical stripe and Peter Pan collar of this minidress are reminiscent of a child's sailor suit, giving it a youthful appeal which was typical of early Biba. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.39-1997 |
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| Record created | January 25, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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