Biba Love and Dolly Eyes

Back in this post I shared some of the latest additions to my wardrobe with you. Here is the late 1960's vintage Merle Stephen maxi dress. I've been pining to wear this one since I first laid eyes on it but the weather just won't allow it. Today, being a little cooler and with nothing planned but lounging about and relaxing, I thought I'd play dress up. The dress is a deep plum purple with a small vine print. It has an empire waistline, ruffled collar and bishop sleeves with covered buttons (please excuse the fact that in the picture above they are only done up half way - the heat you see). 

I don't know about you but for me this dress calls to mind the sultry Biba dollybirds of the late 1960's and early 1970's. Whilst wearing it I can imagine myself lounging across the couch in the shop window of the Biba Kennsington Church Street store. And so, to keep with the aura of the dress, I had to do my Biba style makeup to go with it. I then had loads of fun prancing around and grooving out to the sounds of 1968. What fun! 

A brilliant tutorial to follow to get the Biba girl look is this one here by renowned makeup artist, Lisa Elridge. 

It is clear and simple, and was created with the assistance of Barbara Hulanicki herself.

Do check it out!

Poll Winner: Barbara Hulanicki

Approximately a month ago I came to a dilemma. I could not decide who my favourite 1960's fashion designer was. Favourites, yes. But not a singular favourite. And so, I created a poll asking you who your favourite designer of the time is and why, out of Mary Quant, Foale and Tuffin, and Barbara Hulanicki, in the hope that this may help me decide who to crown as my favourite. You can see the post here. 

Well, here are the results!

Mary Quant - 47

Marion and Tuffin - 2

Barbara Hulanicki - 56

The winner you chose is Barbara Hulanicki of BIBA!

Here are some of the reasons why you believe Barbara Hulanicki was the best fashion designer:

"I love the whole concept of beautiful and affordable clothes, the whole BIBA brand (clothing, accessories, make-up, food, etc etc). Also the art deco vibes as brilliant! Barbara is by far my favourite designer!"

Ana of Where the Roses Go

"I think she is the most deserving being that she created a entire feel of luxury around her affordable clothing. Her first mail order dress, a pink gingham shift, was so popular it was on back order for months and it was only her FIRST!"

Catherine of Sewing the 60s

"I just adore the clothes and love the art deco interior of the Biba shops."

Sarah of Among the Dancers

Looking at images of the designs and interior of the BIBA stores it is clear why she was voted most popular.
One can see that BIBA was not just a brand, but a lifestyle. In the later years of the decade, and early years of the next, Barbara Hulanicki's choice in fabrics, colour palettes and  art deco inspired designs seemed to just breathe the word "luxury" and emit the scent or rich perfumes and fragrant oils from another land. Model shots of long lashed dainty foals promoting her fashions emitted an atmosphere of delicate dreaminess and her store interiors exhibited an extravagance that, if they dedicatedly saved up their pocket money, any fashionable girl of the 1960's could afford.

Unlike other boutiques of the 1960's and early 1970's, the windows of BIBA were darkened. This was to create mystery and entice people in to discover the beautiful and affordable treasures that lay hidden inside.

I personally think that this picture of Twiggy in Barabara Hulanicki's fashions is the quintessential example of the luxuriousness of BIBA. To me, this picture just shimmers class, style and glamour.

If I ever become anything like this picture I will be one happy girl.

After all this, I think I am at last learning towards Barabara Hulanicki as my favourite 1960's designer. Though it is still not certain!

 And I think Foale and Tuffin deserved a bit more love too!

Images: (1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.)