Sir Biba ridiculed as label revives with ‘hideous’ new collection: ‘It’s like something from a jumble sale’
Fashion house Biba has been ridiculed by fans of the iconic 1960s label after it relaunched with a ‘hideous’ new collection.
The much-anticipated relaunch of the brand, which was founded in 1964 by Barbara Hulanicki, has been met with dismay by former customers who say the new designs are ‘awful’ and ‘like something from a jumble sale’.
One former customer, who bought the original Biba clothes in the 1960s, said: ‘I’m so disappointed. The new collection is awful. It’s like something from a jumble sale.’
Another said: ‘I was so excited when I heard that Biba was relaunching, but I’m so disappointed with the new collection. The clothes are hideous.’
The new collection, which is being sold online and in a pop-up store in London, features a range of brightly coloured dresses, skirts, tops and trousers.
The prices range from £120 for a dress to £300 for a coat.
The relaunch of Biba has been overseen by Hulanicki’s daughter, Romy, and her husband, Stephen Fitz-Simon.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Hulanicki said that she was ‘delighted’ with the new collection.
She said: ‘I think it’s a very modern take on Biba. It’s still got the Biba DNA, but it’s been updated for the 21st century.’
However, not everyone is convinced.
One fashion critic said: ‘The new Biba collection is a disaster. The clothes are badly made and the designs are unoriginal.’
Another said: ‘Biba was once a iconic brand, but the new collection is a disgrace. It’s a shame to see such a great name being tarnished.’
The relaunch of Biba comes at a time when there is a growing trend for nostalgia in fashion.
In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile relaunches of iconic brands, such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Burberry.
However, it remains to be seen whether the new Biba collection will be a success.
Only time will tell whether the brand can recapture its former glory days.
Biba was founded in 1964 by Barbara Hulanicki, a Polish-born fashion designer.
The label quickly became known for its brightly coloured, psychedelic designs, which were inspired by the 1960s youth culture.
Biba became a favourite with celebrities such as Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton and Bianca Jagger.
The label closed its doors in 1975, but it has been revived several times since then.
The most recent relaunch, in 2016, was overseen by Hulanicki’s daughter, Romy, and her husband, Stephen Fitz-Simon.
The new collection has been met with mixed reviews. Some critics have praised the collection for its modern take on Biba’s iconic designs, while others have dismissed it as a ‘disaster’.
Only time will tell whether the new Biba collection will be a success.
But one thing is for sure: the relaunch of Biba is a reminder of the enduring power of nostalgia in fashion..
