No more Biba

from WWD

Barbara Hulanicki is putting some distance between herself and the brand she created more than 40 years ago. The designer, who founded the iconic fast-fashion label Biba in 1964, is making it clear she was not involved with the brand's 2006 relaunch and its subsequent demise last month, when the label went into receivership. "I think it's sad," said Hulanicki. "Biba originally was straight to the public — it stemmed from a shop. The people who [took on Biba] aren't retailers — it's a different way of designing." While Hulanicki didn't rule out ever being a part of Biba again, she allowed that yet another revival would be challenging since the brand "has been battered around so much." The designer's current projects include a wallpaper collection for Graham & Brown and jewelry for the Victoria and Albert Museum's boutique. A fashion and accessories line is also in the works, to launch later this year, with an as-yet-unnamed retailer.