Inspiration no.3

Monday 29 September 2008

THE OLD BIBA


I love the whole story of Biba. I think for a couple to start off with a mail order company and end up with a huge department store, which completely grabbed the public imagination is incredible. I love the whole Biba look, and that that one undiluted style prevailed throughout the store. This was a truly glamorous shop, neo-30s with a 60s twist and complete with bowls of feathers, an art deco staircase and leopard skin print everywhere. Biba wasn't just a shop but a way of life and people would come and spend their whole Saturdays there. I can hardly believe it was down the road from where I live now.


Even the food department was exciting and new - baked beans with the distinctive black and gold Biba packaging and a funny way to display dog food!


The Italianate roof gardens at the top of the store had flamingos and pelicans. This photo shows founder Barbara Hulanicki too.

The images they produced were glamorous and retro, and Biba clothes were must have items. My Mum's cousin spent a month's wages to get a pair of the much desired boots, only to leave them on the tube on her way home.


The illustrations were also interesting and stylish, and are always inspiring to me. You can see these in the books Biba by Delisia Howard, and Sinbiba by Hulanicki and Howard.


All the images on this blog came from these books and Welcome to Big Biba by Steven Thomas and Alwyn W Turner (my favourite) and the Biba Experience by Alwyn W. Turner.

The Rainbow Rooms in Biba also had lots of bands perform there not least David Bowie, and the ever stylish Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music who shot their Let's stick together video there. Jerry Hall is also approproately Biba - stunning and clad in leopard.

Why not (no. 10)

Saturday 20 September 2008



I think these bundles of cards tied with different ribbons look lovely, and are such a nice way to display cards, or even extra stock.

Top drawer autumn stand

Wednesday 17 September 2008



Above is a little picture of our stand at Top Drawer looking a little dark and film noir as my Mum took it on her iphone! Thanks to everyone that was able to make it - it was a good show.

Top drawer autumn

Friday 12 September 2008



We will be exhibiting at
TOP DRAWER AUTUMN
OLYMPIA, LONDON
SUN 14TH - TUES 16TH SEPT

STAND NO. NA26
Hope to see you there!

Morocco trip

Wednesday 10 September 2008


As you may have guessed from my last post and the little break from blogging, I have been on a little holiday to Morocco - to Essaouria and Marrakech. It was wonderful and the gorgeous combination of colours and decorative tile work you see there is very inspiring.





Me looking a bit indignant about having my photo taken! I was trying to work on a very English design of teacups, but it was really hard to work on something so English there so I gave up and did a couple of designs inspired by Moroccan textiles instead - more to come later.

Floating flowers

Thursday 4 September 2008


Here are a few little displays of still lives I have spotted recently using floating flowers. I think they are absolutely stunning.








I love that this one floats the rose leaves too.



Floating frangipani and clover? flowers from the lovely rang decor blogspot which is packed with Indian decoration ideas. See www.rangdecor.blogspot.com for more. I especially love the image below