Biba, Biba.

 

Anyone of around my age or a tad younger (who lived in London in the late 60's and early 70's) would know not only know the clothes shop 'Biba', but also know of its influence over the UK fashion business.

The shop's founder, Barbara Hulanicki, had studied at the Brighton Art College (as did Lady M), and in 1965 she opened her very first clothes shop not far from where we live. They had teething problems and after a couple of years they moved to London.

I haplessly became quite a regular visitor to the new Church Street Ken shop. Girlfriends always wanted to go there (usually on Saturdays) and I often found myself forking-out for dresses.

One of the benefits of my Biba visits was meeting-up with 'The Twins' (above). They had been at the Brighton shop, and moved up to London in 1967 (?). They became an integral part of the shop's ambiance. I didn't get to know them socially, but we always had a chat, and were pleased to see each other.

Biba was quite a remarkable shop. It was always filled with crowds of beautiful girls, all trying on dresses, and creating havoc. There were half naked girls everywhere, with clothes all over the floor and elsewhere. The twins had their work cut-out just trying to keep the place tidy, and under control.

Later, Biba became 'a bit too big for their boots', and they moved into the vast old Derry and Toms shop on High Street Ken, where they branched out into household goods, a café, and even a restaurant. I remember thinking that the name 'Biba' had lost its 'original edge'. The only things I bought there were some Indian bedspreads, which we still have, and now use as dustsheets.

I'm not sure what happened after that but Barbara lost control of the company, and it eventually closed.

But what a real sensation it had once been! Great memories.