The most beautiful store in the world

For some, the word Biba means nothing. For others it may be a word they simply recognise. For most, it was a way of life.

Biba was once described by the Sunday Times as ‘The most beautiful store in the world’ based in Kensington, West London. Barbara Hulanicki was, along with her husband, the founder, designer and commissioner of everything experienced within the Biba store. Not a single item entered the store without her approval, giving her the title of one the greatest British designers.

People in the 1960’s and 1970’s became infatuated with not just the clothes, but the store too. With an intense interior and everything so carefully thought out, it has to be the one place that given the chance, I would go to extreme lengths to visit. I cannot help feeling a sense of disappointment that the store, to me and many others, will only be witnessed through photographs.

As the store grew, it continued to move to larger stores finally ending up as a seven storey department store on Kensington High Street. The store contained everything Biba, from clothes to washing powder, dog food to stationary, all branded with the famous Biba logo.

Although being recently re-launched in House of Fraser, the original items tend to be found at, at least 3 times the original value, making the collection more of a desire than anything else, completely satisfying the title ‘vintage’ that most women adore. The clothing found in the Biba concessions are not like those that appeared in the original store, sadly ruining the Biba name and the younger generations that may not have heard of this brand, are being fed this false image of such beautiful clothing. The store itself was also a huge part of the Biba image which is not portrayed in House of Fraser.

A current project for university has asked us to come up with an idea and produce a 6 month campaign to make this idea come to life (obviously not literally). My idea is to re-launch Biba as a stand-alone store in its old location of Kensington, taking it out of House of Fraser. The research and planning is all too exciting and I can only pray that one day soon, someone, if not I, will go through with the idea and make it as beautiful and classic as it once was, as I strongly believe everyone with a love of fashion deserves that experience.

“Biba fulfilled the Rock and Roll promise to live fast, die young and leave a beautiful corpse”.

"Change the world, one sequin at a time" - Lady Gaga

Browsing (stalking) Facebook the other day I came across a photo of my friend wearing some incredible blue glitter covered shorts (yes, the glitter phase is worsening). I decided then and there that I HAD to have them!

Now I could have probably guessed where they were from as not many shops could pull of blue glitter short shorts without them looking tacky, but I had to get my friend to confirm they were from Topshop, where else.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of these sparkly little beauts, but to my dismay they are £40 and being a student, it takes a lot of debate before committing to such a buy. My head is screaming no but my heart seems to be winning the battle. They are still in my online shopping bag, just sitting there waiting to be purchased.

After some more research and a lot of shopping, I came across another pair of MUST HAVE sparkly shorts, although this time in French Connection. Not quite as short as the Topshop ones but equally as beautiful, these statement shorts come in at an incredible £82. Obviously I will not be buying these ones anytime soon but I thought I'd give you the chance to admire and desire after them just as I am.

As for the Topshop shorts, will I or won’t I? That’s a question even I cannot answer.

So I thought I'd update you all. The fabulous Topshop shoes that I was pining for, unfortunately I still do not own them but I've landed myself a fantastic alternative for LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE!!!

And the best thing is, they aren't even tacky! Okay they shred my feet everytime I put them on but I'm willing to grin (moan) and bear it as they are just so beautiful.
This is my official letter of thanks to New Look, you really have made my week/month/year.

The obsession returns..

Yes, Gossip Girl is back on tv! My social life is going back into hibernation until the seasons over. I cannot express my excitement of being reunited with Chuck Bass!! This is all I have to say as its been uploaded online and I cannot resist watching it right now. XOXO

Just for the other Chuck Bass fans out there :)

All that glitters..

I've always stuck to saying that at this age, I will never spend too much on a pair of heels and I will just get drunk and ruin them, but these shoes are just sooo amazing I feel I may have to go against my beliefs?

A pinch of salt.. I mean leather

Before you click away thinking I’m about to bore with some old school news that people are wearing leather, I dare you to at least look at the photographs for some major style tips!

It’s true that there is nothing new about leather, it dates so far back and is rarely out of fashion. However, this winter it seems adding a small amount to your outfit is the way to go. The photograph of Apphia Michael (stolen from Graziadaily.co.uk) shows exactly how to wear leather.

Teamed up with a cutesy jumper, a pink shopper and patent brogues, this leather midi really does look amazing and definitely not too much. I don’t know about you but when I think of leather, I tend to think of a 50 year old woman with scraggly black hair extensions dressed head to toe in black. This has no doubt given me a new outlook on the material and how to wear it.
Another item that has caught my eye recently is the leather leggings that seem to be taking over Topshop recently. Although I hate being one of those people that wears the same as everyone else, and with the popularity of these leggings I can only imagine half the population own a pair, I can’t help but love them! One of my friends recently bought a pair and I won’t deny feeling a little envious.

I’ve said it once and I will say it again, twenty million times if I must, Lauren Conrad can do absolutely no wrong. This outfit is plain but classy, adding a little touch of rebellion with the leather leggings. If I could be one person, besides maybe Beyonce, I think it would have to be Lauren.

Along with the up-do’s (in the post before) if I ever decide to jump on board the leather train, I will be sure to post some photo’s. Grazia tells me the leather midi is from Topshop so I may just have to go in and try it on.

Nobody likes change.. Right?

I've always been one of those poeple who sticks to a basic hairstyle. For me, it doesn't get much better than a few waves and I think its become pretty known to the people around me that I rarely wear my hair up, unless of course if Im hungover, which doesn't count.
However, I've noticed that the beauty sections of every magazine lately seem to be giving tips on the perfect updo and I can't help but feel a little envious of how good they look.
I bought the September issue on InStyle the other week, this being the first time I have ever read this particular magazine and in it was Actress Tamsin Egerton (who admittedly would look amazing sporting any kind of hairstyle) modelling different updo's, and although having all my hair scraped back off my face probably wouldn't be my most flattering choice, hence always avoiding it, I am extremely tempted to give them a go.

If my desire ever over-rides my conscience and I do attempt one of the above, i'll keep you posted. I can only hope i'll look as elegant as Tamsin and not something that could of been created by Jedward.