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.)

Choose a Side to Be On

About a week ago I came to a realization. It is in regards to the fabulous 1960's/1970's designers Mary Quant, Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, and Barbara Hulanicki. Yes, I adore the designs that all these fabulous ladies created, and always have since they first came to my discovery. But who is my favourite? I am still deciding.

Mary Quant and 'Bazaar'

Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin and 'Foale and Tuffin'

Barbara Hulanicki and 'BIBA'

So dollies. This makes me wonder who is your favourite?

And for what reason?

One the sidebar of my blog, right at the top, I have added a poll. I would love for you to take it. All it requires is a click of a button next to which designer you prefer best. And if you would like, do feel free to message me or comment telling me who you voted for, and why? I would very much love to hear. I hope to feature some of your answers in a future post regarding the winning designer of the poll.

The poll closes on the 7th of June at 12:00pm UTC +10:00 time.

Thus, click away!

Perhaps it will help me decide who I prefer best!

Title: From "The Black Angel's Death Song" - The Velvet Underground