70s Glam!

I've just got back from a fabulous few days in Liverpool.  While I was there I went to see the new exhibition at the Tate Liverpool -

Glam! The Performance of Style

It was amazing!

It covers the years 1971 - 1975 through the art, music, fashion and popular culture of the time.  It really was a trip down memory lane for my SIL and I as we wandered through the fantastic displays and exhibits.  Couldn't take photos, so I've put together a few 70s bits and pieces myself.

We remembered many of the album covers and posters on display and got all nostalgic about the fashions and some of the posters of pop stars of the time - particularly Marc Bolan - wasn't he so handsome?!!  There's lots of more "arty" stuff as well which is actually quite interesting.  For me, though, 70s Glam means Biba - those fashions were just gorgeous!  Check out my post about Biba.

The main reason for the visit, though, was that my little booklet from the Jackie magazine - Your Personality Guide - actually appears in the exhibition!  Yes, I was asked if I would lend it to the Tate!  How cool is that?!!  You can read my post about Jackie here.

If you live near Liverpool, or are visiting soon, and love the music, fashion and art of the early 70s then you really should go and see this exhibition.  It is on till 12 May and well worth a visit.

Love, Liz

Viva Biba!

BIBA - perhaps one of the most iconic fashion looks

of the 60s and early 70s.

All these pictures are from the October 1973 edition of 19 Magazine which I wrote about yesterday.

Biba's founders were Barbara Hulanicki and her husband Stephen Fitz-Simon.  Barbara started designing for the mail order business and rapidly became very popular. 

Click on pic to enlarge and have a look at the prices!

They opened a small boutique and called it Biba.  Unusual for its time, it was painted black and contained vintage items used for display, mood lighting, music - all the sorts of things we are used to now.  This was unusual in a time when most boutiques tried to be as "modern" (plastic) as possible.

The company grew rapidly and the Dorothy Perkins group put money into the expansion.  At the peak of its popularity, Biba took over the old Derry & Toms department store on Kensington High Street and expanded into home ware and children's wear - becoming a lifestyle brand.

Kitsch!?!?

Unfortunately, due to financial problems, the store closed in 1975. 

Recently, House of Fraser have re-introduced the brand.  I had a look at their website and the look is still as distinctive as it was in this 1973 edition of 19 Magazine!

For more information, and pictures of Biba's fantastic "vintage" clothing - there is a good website called The Biba Collection.

I'd be interested to know if any of you have found Biba items while out thrifting!

Love, Liz