Biba - Part 1
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The original dress that started it all 60 years ago.
The legendary pink gingham shift dress with matching kerchief designed by Biba fashion founder Barbara Hulanicki from the Daily Mail editorial and mail order offer published May 7, 1962.
Inspired by the gingham worn by Brigitte Barbot as a bride. The simple affordable shift dress became a massive success with a total 17,000 orders received.
Original text:
“THIS IS BARBARA
HOW SHE’S A DRESS MANUFACTURER AS WELL AS A FASHION ARTIST
One of the most successful fashion artist in the business, Barbara went to a party in a long skirt she had made herself, ordered it and wanted a similar one for her readers. So Barbara got a friend in the cheaper end of trade to make it up in quantities at a next to nothing price. Hundreds of people sent for it. Now she designs specifically for newspapers and magazines on a mail-order only basis. On the right a ‘Barbara’ designed exclusively for Daily Mirror readers, for more about this read on...”
(Close up of Barbara Hulanicki from editorial from Daily Mirror, May 07, 1962)
Full Ad and Editorial of publication from Daily Mirror, May 07, 1962
. from original text-
“ ...and this is one of her designs. Interested? It can be yours for 25s including the kerchief. If you’re in the market for something cool and shifty...if you think gingham is an ‘in’ fabric...If you feel twenty-five beb isn’t a fashion fortune- and it isnt...
In pink gingham sizes 10,12,14.
.• Close up of image of dress from original image from Daily Mirror 1962
• from Daily Mirror: May 07, 1962
• dress and handkerchief designed by Barbara Hulanicki
• Model: Paulene Stone