Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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!

44 comments:

  1. Great makeup Lucy, you look like a true 60s doll! x

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  2. You look straight out of a 60s magazine :)

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  3. Your makeup looks amazing! I can't even get eyeliner on at all so I'm very impressed.

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    1. Thank you very much, it took a long time to do and perhaps a couple of stuff ups! ;)

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  4. You look fantastic! I love the make up and your hair do.

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  5. What a fantastic dress! and I'm loving the makeup!! great job :) xo

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  6. You look like the quintessential swinging 60s siren - looove it! Amazing make up and the hair... my god, the hair!!

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  7. I love your eye makeup!

    xx
    www.mellowyellowblog.com

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  8. That dress is amazing and your makeup is spot on! Perfect!

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  9. Gosh I love this look so much! and your portrait at the end there is perfect! you could be in a biba catalogue!
    The heat and polyester! yucck!

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    1. That is so lovely of you to say, thank you so much, Cat! And oh my gosh - I know right?!

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  10. What a perfect look today, I love the dress so much and the eye make up is pretty adorable, too!

    Have a fantastic day,
    -Kati

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  11. Your makeup is INCREDIBLE! It suits you so well and you look just like an editorial out of a 1968 magazine. Perfect hair, perfect dress, I love it.

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    1. You are too kind, thank you so much for your lovely words!

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  12. oh my goodness! this is just perfect. totally going to try this! i'm not very good at makeup and stuff, but it might be fun just to play around with :) well done!

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    1. Thank you, Abigail! It is tricky and certainly not something that would be worn around on everyday occasions but it is quite fun to do! Her makeup tutorials are so easy to follow.

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  13. Hello,Ciao Lucy....great post...nice photos and Your style is so breathtaking...Your makeup is a work of Art it make shines Your stunning Beauty...cheers

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  14. Wow, stunning look. ^^
    Have a nice Friday...

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  15. Your eyes are incredible....not many can pull off that makeup look but it's amazing on you! Xx

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    1. That's so kind of you to say, thank you very much!

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  16. You've done your make up perfectly, I adore it! I love how you speak of the 'aura' of the dress - I think vintage pieces really do have an aura about them, since they are from another time and have been passed down from other people!

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    1. Thank you, Claire! I'm so glad that you agree that dresses can have 'auras', there really is some sort of life within them from being passed down over time!

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  17. I don't know how you do it girl but I love it! This dress, your hair... these eyes!
    xoxo
    Taylor
    http://www.nothingbutapigeon.com/

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  18. You look simply breathtaking in that last photo Lucy, 100% like a dolly in the day. I definately get strong Biba vibes from the dress and you've styled it just perfectly and I love the image you describe. It's probably a bit soft but I like to think sometimes we get these images from clothing like it's communicating with us how it likes to be worn or something. I know how silly that sounds, but it often feels to me like vintage items almost seem to take on a life of their own as they're handed down.

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    1. Thank you so much, Faye! I'm so glad you picked up on the Biba vibes too. I think that is the loveliest idea, I shall definitely be remembering this and keeping it to heart.

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  19. I'm having a real tough time believing that you didn't just step out of the 1960s — you, your eye makeup, and outfit are all just stunning!

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    1. Your lovely comment just gave me the biggest grin on my face, thank you so much!

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  20. Hey, I'm sorry I'm posting this like 5 years late. But I would love to know how you got that cut crease! It's perfect. And you look amazing by the way.

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