When the news broke that we had acquired Biba you couldn’t have imagined such excitement, it looked like Christmas had come early. Big grinning smiles and the obligatory silent hand clapping that goes hand in hand with such things was mimicked up and down the office.
Biba will join House of Fraser’s other house brands including Therapy and Linea. Biba was the Topshop of the 60s, and remains sought after by fashion lovers and collectors everywhere. Launched in 1964 by Barbara Hulanicki, Biba defined a generation of wearable yet cutting edge fashion that continues to look on trend even today.
Biba has been recreated a couple of times but without much success. This time it is set to epitomise a new generation. House of Fraser will not only be creating modern day pieces but will also be recreating the archive collections.
It’s a fashion lover’s dream of silk prints, denims, and maxi dresses. There will be different ranges including Biba Blue for the denims, and Biba Gold for limited edition more expensive pieces.
Talking about this surprising yet wonderful move John King, Chief Executive Officer said:
“We have a fantastic new design team who will use the extensive archive to maintain the passion and energy of the original Biba brand. This, coupled with our nationwide store base, makes us confident that House of Fraser is the perfect home for modern-day Biba.”
It’s a brave step to rework a much loved iconic brand, but the success of 70s brand Halston shows that with the right direction it can work and be a success. Biba defined a generation and now it’s back with a bang.
The Biba collection will be available from September 2010 and will be exclusive to House of Fraser, it will be stocked online and in 30 select stores.
10 comments
Claudette says:
Jun 24, 2012
Visited House of Fraser in Maidstone and first thing I noticed was Biba. Nearly had a heart attack. Suffice to say I bought a dress. Fantastic. Well done, people. I was a mega fan of Biba back in the day. Just hope I will be able to afford most things Biba. Still excited and now looking for accessories to complete the 60′s look. Got my shoes, great stuff.
sylvia line says:
Sep 13, 2010
Fantastic i love biba as a young girl i was always in biba loved biba so pleased it is back best news ever
Diane says:
Sep 9, 2010
Well it’s arrived – I’ve gone back 35 years – and the nicest thing was that the ‘young’ assistants really wanted to hear about the original. They want photos of anything people have from the days of old to put on display. As for me now the owner of a lovely new black dress and a pair of jeans that actually fit !!
Have been asked to return later today for cocktails – and wear dress.
(like Alexandra before, my daughter very excited for her Mum – she is ‘in’ fashion herself and was at the Oxford St. launch last night and told / warned me of said black dress !)
Barbara says:
Sep 7, 2010
I have still got my favourite dress of all time – a size 10 Biba dress bought in Biba Kensington church street in around 66-67. I can,t wait to see the House of Fraser Biba collection!
alexandra says:
Sep 1, 2010
Hey – this is exciting; my daughters covert my Biba frock that I wore for my sister’s wedding in 1972 – they now fight over who can wear it and when – it is brilliant that this fashion icon moment is being reinstalled – however, not sure how you could re-create the atmosphere of Ken High Street…! but delighted that it is being acknowledged as a movement and moment for recognition…
kelly says:
Aug 29, 2010
do you know which 30 hof store’s biba will be in?
Eileen says:
Aug 23, 2010
I wonder what Hula thinks about this? It would be interesting to hear her thoughts as the last I heard she wished that everyone would just let the poor old girl (Biba) rest in peace!! Having said that, I can’t wait to see what the new collection looks like. I still have loads of original pieces, thank God!! Good luck House of Fraser – you’re very brave to take this one on.
bev says:
Jul 6, 2010
Great news…. Its a good job I still have bags of original Biba as I doubt the new range will be affordable like it used to be…. Beautiful Biba.. welcome back
Bev says:
Jul 5, 2010
This is so exciting. I was a Biba girl and have craved Biba eversince Big Biba closed. Please bear in mind when you relauch this fabulous iconic style that Biba wasaffordable ‘ for working teenagers’ ( Barbara said this at a talk I attended last year…) Please don’t make it so that ordinary people can’t afford to buy it – Thank you , and good luck !
David says:
Mar 19, 2010
BIBA the Musical will be out onstage later in the year….got this for a friend of mine who knows a lot about the Biba store when it was open.We listened together and she and I were amazed at how accurate the genre, and interesting the material given it is original.We think this is by some well known people under pseudonyms-it\’s that good!