Very much looking forward to viewing The Biba Years 1963-1975 by Barbara Hulanicki and Martin Pel (published on September 1st). I would imagine that Biba admirers everywhere have been counting down the days to the release date over the summer, ever since the first glimpse of that glorious cover and description of the content appeared on the V&A Publishing website earlier this year! Comprising of 240 pages, it promises to feature a wealth of previously unpublished material (including early fashion illustrations), archival images, extensive garment photography, and full colour reproductions of all six of the original Biba mail order catalogues, as well as many personal insights from the designer and her contemporaries. While I await the arrival of my own copy, i've been busying myself by reading Barbara's autobiography (again) and leafing through my collection of Biba editorials, I'd almost forgotten that I had this issue of The Observer from 1969 which featured the Biba couture range, it seems as good a time as any to post it here.
HAUTE COUTURE GOES MAIL ORDER
HOW TO GET A BIBA OUTFIT BY POST
Write to Biba Ltd, 19 Kensington Church Street, London W8, for a special order form. With it you will get a very detailed measurement chart to complete. It is vital, writes Liz Smith, that you are measured accurately (get a competent person to do it for you). Then send off the order form with £15 deposit. You will be sent a toile of the garment made to your measurements, together with a cutting of the fabric. Alterations can be made on the toile, and it's up to you to ensure it fits exactly the way you want. You will be sent a special chart on which to note any alterations. Finally, send back the approved toile together with the balance of the price, and the dress, suit or coat will be made up for you in the couture fabric. Each garment will be cut to individual measurements out of couture cloth, with perfect buttonholes, hand sewn zips and linings of silk.
HOW TO GET A BIBA OUTFIT BY POST
Write to Biba Ltd, 19 Kensington Church Street, London W8, for a special order form. With it you will get a very detailed measurement chart to complete. It is vital, writes Liz Smith, that you are measured accurately (get a competent person to do it for you). Then send off the order form with £15 deposit. You will be sent a toile of the garment made to your measurements, together with a cutting of the fabric. Alterations can be made on the toile, and it's up to you to ensure it fits exactly the way you want. You will be sent a special chart on which to note any alterations. Finally, send back the approved toile together with the balance of the price, and the dress, suit or coat will be made up for you in the couture fabric. Each garment will be cut to individual measurements out of couture cloth, with perfect buttonholes, hand sewn zips and linings of silk.
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Chocolate brown whipcord trousers and shapely cardigan jacket, 60gn. Cream crepe-de-chine blouse with stock tied softly at the neck, 25gn. Silver rings, 30s. each; fake diamond ring, 30s. Plummy brown snakeskin hat, 25gn. Boots 16gn. from the Chelsea Cobbler. Hair by Valerie, at Cheveux, Abingdon Road, W8.
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IMAGE CREDITS
All images & original text scanned by Sweet Jane from The Observer magazine, 19th January, 1969. Original editorial by Liz Smith, all photographs by Helmut Newton. *Except for The Biba Years 1963-1975 cover which is courtesy of V&A Publications.
LINKS
Order yourself a copy of The Biba Years 1963-1975 from the V&A online shop here.
Preview The Biba Years 1963-1975 here.