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Breaking news: House of Fraser acquires Biba

biba_fall2007.jpgIt seems that Biba has been rescued for the second time. House of Fraser has reportedly bought the cult '60s label and its archives from Liechtenstein-based investment fund Hachel International Foundation.

According to Drapers, the retailer will reintroduce the label via its 30 department stores and online store in time for autumn/winter 2010. House of Fraser will also launch two diffusion lines including Biba Blue range priced at £50 for denim and Biba Gold limited edition pieces priced at around £200.

"We will be making it a lot more appropriate for today and picking up an essence of Biba with flamboyant, sexy prints in silks, knits and dark denims with soft washes," said House of Fraser executive director for womenswear and accessories Stephanie Chen.

Biba fell into administration last year just two years after it was revived by Bella Freud. Originally founded by Barbara Hulanicki in the Sixties, these days Hulanicki is more renowned for her Topshop range and recent documentary.

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Posted by Kimberley Foster on November 13, 2009 11:13 AM in Designer Spotlight| Fashion News| Retail / Business news
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Comments

Why don't they approach Barbara Hulanicki to do Biba, after all she created Biba and SHE IS BIBA.....

This seems to be the fifth try without here and they always fail.....

Posted by: sasha | November 13, 2009 2:46 PM

The reason these re-inventions of Biba aren't successful is that they charge too much for them!
As the wiki entry for Biba states: "The shops' main appeal was that an average girl in London could, for less than 10% of her weekly earnings, share the look of popular icons of the time."
Biba was the equivalent of H&M and Topshop that we have today - providing the latest looks at prices the average person can afford - £200 for an item is hardly affordable for the average shopper! - you can find original vintage Biba for this price!!
If someone brought the brand back at a £30-£100 price point it would do hugely well - but trying to extract as much money as possible simply from the name for rip-off clothing is never going to work.

Posted by: Violetsrose | November 16, 2009 10:17 AM

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