Barbara Hulanicki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Hulanicki
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| Born |
Warsaw, Poland
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| Education | Brighton School of Art |
| Occupation | Fashion Designer |
| Era | 1970s |
| Organization | Biba |
Barbara Hulanicki OBE is a famous fashion designer. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1936. She is best known for starting a super cool clothes shop called Biba.
Contents
Growing Up
Barbara Hulanicki was born in Warsaw, Poland. When she was young, her family moved to Brighton, England. This happened after her father, Witold Hulanicki, passed away in Jerusalem in 1948.
Barbara's Fashion Journey
Barbara studied at the Brighton School of Art from 1954 to 1956. In 1955, she won a competition for beachwear. She started her career as a freelance fashion illustrator. She drew for popular magazines like Vogue and Tatler.
Starting Biba
Barbara first sold her designs through a small mail-order business. Her clothes were even featured in London newspapers. In 1964, she opened her first Biba shop. It was in the Kensington area of London. Her husband, Stephen Fitz-Simon, helped her.
The Biba shop quickly became famous. It had a stylish and unique look. The decor was inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
Biba's Cool Vibe
Biba became a popular spot for many famous people. Artists, film stars, and rock musicians loved to hang out there. Some visitors included Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Marianne Faithfull.
Young customers could buy trendy and affordable clothes. They found mini-skirts, floppy felt hats, and velvet trouser suits. There were also unisex tee-shirts in rich, soft colors. Even Anna Wintour, a future fashion icon, worked at Biba when she was 15.
After Biba
After the Biba shop closed in 1975, Barbara moved to Brazil. She opened several other stores there. She also designed clothes for other brands like Fiorucci. From 1980 to 1992, she designed a children's clothing line called Minirock.
In 1987, Barbara moved to Miami, Florida. There, she started a business designing interiors for hotels. She designed hotels for Chris Blackwell in Jamaica and the Bahamas. She also designed wallpaper for the Habitat store chain in Europe. Her Art Deco style wallpaper became very popular.
Modern Collaborations
In 2009, the British store Topshop launched a collection with Barbara's designs. She created flowing chiffon dresses and blouses. These looked like her original Biba styles. She also designed bikinis and a suede jacket. That same month, an Italian brand called Coccinelle made a handbag in her Art Deco style.
Barbara has said that the fashion world today is similar to the 1970s. She feels both times share the same excitement.
In 2014, Barbara Hulanicki became a consultant for Biba again. This was the first time she had worked with her original brand since 1975.
In 2021, Barbara started a new project called 'Hula'. She teamed up with a virtual reality company, BrandLab360. This new brand sells clothes to other businesses through a digital showroom.
Awards and Recognition
Barbara Hulanicki has received several honors.
- In 2010, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University.
- In 2012, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognized her great contributions to the fashion industry.
