Barbara Hulanicki’s Style: ‘I Made This Jacket for Twiggy, Which Is Why It’s So Tiny’

Biba’s early 70s designer made this. One of her few pieces from that era,

It was made for Twiggy in the early 1970s. Early sample. “Do you want to wear it?” One of the few labels that did small sizes, we were making lots of clothes for her.

Leopard print always inspires me. The big Kensington store was everywhere. Leopard print is timeless, but poorly done it can look tacky. It’s great to get the print and colorway right—the base colors and spots aren’t too big.

Modern jacket. Big shoulders, but not exaggerated, are excellent. The front V-shape is nice. Some things just start.

We sold it for £25; vintage shops would charge £3,000 or more. We never got stuck because we did small runs and repeated them if they sold. We probably made 400 of these jackets, and the boys found them.

I kept little. Friends never returned borrowed items. We made clothes in Brazil after Biba closed. “This is holding you back; you’ve got to throw it all out,” Fitz [Stephen Fitz-Simon, Hulanicki’s late husband] said.

I sent this jacket to Fitz’s sister, who has kept it. She returned it to me a few months ago after longingly looking at it but not getting into it. I loved getting it back because clothes are so emotional.

Conclusion

The distinctive designs by Barbara Hulanicki are evidence of her originality and insight. She made a lasting impact on fashion and design history by creating iconic looks for Twiggy in the 1960s and revolutionizing interior design in the 1970s. Each of her pieces is truly unique thanks to her striking prints, vivid colors, and creative cuts. Hulanicki’s style will always be cutting-edge, whether you’re looking for something completely new or completely retro.