Biba founder headlines Bath in Fashion

Barbara Hulanicki says: “I absolutely love Bath, it’s a magical place” Credit: PA

A special vintage BIBA catwalk was held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath, showing off the best of the iconic brand that epitomised the Sixties.

Some of the designs were a re-working of BIBA's famous pink gingham dress which helped launch the brand in May 1964, when it offered the dress to readers of the Daily Mirror. The pink dress was so popular that 17,000 were sold, including a Bridget Bardot matching head scarf. BIBA founder, Barbara Hulanicki and her husband Fitz had to conjour up 25,000 yards of sugar pink checked gingham to make them. This event changed the fortunes of BIBA and sent them on a new trajectory.

“We were going nowhere until the pink gingham dress” says Barbara, “something amazing happens and it then changes the course of your life”.

Fifty years later, fashion students from Bath Spa University have been working on their own designs in gingham.

Today's show was a unique opportunity to see original vintage BIBA on the catwalk and was the highlight of the week for many.