by Eric Goldstein

www.olivestudio.com

I think it was after my father had traveled to London in the late 60’s during the early part of his career as an up-and-coming hair stylist, under the influence of Vidal Sassoon and the like – that he came home with several Biba framed prints, which solidified the “home” aesthetic throughout each home we lived in.

Aside from having very prominent locations in the house, it was impressed upon my sisters and I the importance of the Biba movement in London and retail. It wasn’t till a few years ago, through the use of the web, I did further research to not only validate what I had remembered about the ambient-shot photography and intentionally “pondered” eye gazed prints, but to also have a better understanding of the prints which have now been handed down to me.

Because we have many clients in the fashion, hair, beauty industry and friends alike who just have a sincere interest in design movements – thought you might enjoy.

What is Biba?
Biba is frequently mentioned in the same giddy breath as mini-skirts, Mini cars, the Kings Road, the pill and various other London ‘happenings’ which shall forever define the 1960’s as a decade that swung. It was, however, born of humble origins – garments were initially sold cheaply and to many, by mail order in newspapers. But by the early 1970’s, Biba – a labour of love, a label, a lifestyle – had reached hitherto unknown heights of sophistication, innovation and retail experimentation, via its legendary Big Biba emporium on Kensington High Street (once hailed in the Sunday Times as ‘the most beautiful store in the world’). Biba makes for a true rags to riches story, though one devoid of a happy ending for its creators… fashion can be a very cruel beast.

In terms of design, ideas and presentation, Biba was the brainchild of Warsaw-born (in 1936) Barbara Hulanicki, working in partnership with her husband Stephen Fitz-Simon. Long before her reign as fashion queen kicked off, Hulanicki had endured an unsettling upbringing. Her father – a Polish Olympic athlete and diplomat – was snatched from their home in Palestine in 1948, and assassinated.

When it comes to looking at the Biba movement, from a brand-centric perspective, consider this:
The design movement, was motivated partially because of it’s art nuevo, art deco identity, which was carried through consistently through the life of the fashion period and continues to reflect the air and style of that period today.