Vintage Flashbacks – Celia Birtwell and Barbara Hulanicki

Sometimes it feels as if fashion time isn’t moving forwards, but is instead moving backwards. A case in point is that this last week has seen two new High Street collections launched by ladies who can only be described as legends of the 1960s and 1970s, Biba’s Barbara Hulanicki and Celia Birtwell.

Now both grande Dames of fashion, and particularly fashion heroines of anyone who adores print, both Barbara and Celia and their designs remain as relevant as ever.

Celia’s latest prints are emblazoning a fabulous new collection of dresses and separates for cool Japanese brand Uniqlo. Shirtwaister dresses, elegant, masculine cut shirts and cute, versatile long sleeved t-shirts are all included in this collection, perfect for the transitional period we will soon be moving into. In addition, the stole/Scarves that have proved to be popular sell outs from other collections for Uniqlo, including the Orla Kiely collection, also make an appearance here, in a range of kitsch, retro prints.

Here a are few of my faves from the Celia Birtwell collection.

To view all the Celia Birtwell Fall/Winter 2013 collection, click here. You can also view some seasonal reductions.

Barbara Hulanicki is also treating her fans to something special with her latest collaboration with supermarket brand George at Asda. Yes, the signature retro prints are back, but the palette is a strict monochrome. And there are also a couple of pieces that evoke all the extravagance of Big Biba, the amazing Art Deco palace of fashion that lasted for such a short time, yet still suggests exotic and decadent beauty and style. The pieces I’m thinking of have chiffon capes and could’ve been created for Marianne Faithfull or Julie Driscoll, such are their power.

Click here to view the complete Barbara Hulanicki collection for George, including some seasonal reductions.

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