Welcome to Big Biba: Inside the Most Beautiful Store in the World

by Alwyn Turner

Big Biba , the final flowering of Barbara Hulanicki's legendary Biba store in London, was a shop like no other, before or since. It was a fabulous fantasy palace that brought the indulgence of Hollywood to the world of retail. Big Biba lasted just two years before it fell victim to recession, but the myth of the most beautiful store in the world continues to enchant both its former habitu,s and those who came to it too late. Founded as a corner-shop selling just one dress, Biba had grown in less than a decade to become a seven-storey department store filled with own-brand products throughout. Here the committed Bibaphile could buy not only a new wardrobe, fully co-ordinated from head to toe, but also a complete range of cosmetics and soft furnishings, together with the washing powder to care for her clothes, and food for both herself and her pets, all presented in the distinctive Biba packaging. Alternatively she could just hang out, either lounging in the shop-windows (Biba didn't do window-disp

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Art, Fashion History

96 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Biba, again I wish I was around London in the 60's & 70's if only to go to Biba. There are two big illustrated books on Biba, but this is definitely the better of the two.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with lovely photos. Took me back to my youth of shopping in the London store.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just. So. Beautiful. They don't make them like they used to! An impossible dream it seems.

[Cat {Pemberley and Beyond} · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! It absolutely lives up to the store's high artistic standards.

[Julie Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous pics of an incredible London boutique that brings back the best of 1930's and 40's glam. Got it for like $13 on amazon!