The Biba Story : 1964–1975 Exhibition to Open at Dovecot Studios Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland – January 2026 – Dovecot Studios Edinburgh has announced that its latest exhibition, The Biba Story: 1964–1975 will open on February 6th.
The exhibition delves into how Biba blossomed from a mail-order boutique into the world’s first lifestyle label, epitomizing the vibrant fashion of the 1960s and 1970s.
It will be a comprehensive exploration of the fashion phenomenon that revolutionized the global retail landscape.
The Biba Story charts the meteoric rise of the brand under its legendary founder, Barbara Hulanicki.
Visitors will be guided through the history of Biba, starting with its initial simple shift dresses and moving through to the glamorous devoré wraps, sequinned bodices, leopard print coats, and trouser suits that defined an era.
The collection highlights the accessories that completed the Biba look, including floppy hats and feather boas, showcasing a style that remains influential today.
Drawn from Hulanicki’s private archives, the exhibition features press books, correspondence, and marketing materials that have rarely been seen by the public.
It visually chronicles the brand's trajectory with over one hundred items, including extremely rare articles of clothing loaned by private collectors.
Beyond apparel, the exhibition showcases a selection of iconic lifestyle products sold at Big Biba, ranging from make-up to home furnishings, illustrating how the brand permeated every aspect of its customers' lives.
These catalogues were instrumental in establishing the brand's unique visual identity and global reach.
The exhibition aims to demonstrate how Biba was not merely a clothing brand but a cultural phenomenon that changed shopping habits forever.
As Barbara Hulanicki famously noted in 1970, "It isn’t just selling dresses, it’s a whole way of life."
Interest in this cult fashion and lifestyle label has never waned, despite the original iteration of the brand lasting just over a decade.
About Dovecot
Dovecot Studios is a world-renowned tapestry studio located in the heart of Edinburgh and a landmark centre for contemporary art, craft, and design.
Established in 1912, Dovecot continues a century-long heritage of collaboration with international artists to create exceptional handwoven tapestries and gun-tufted rugs.
Alongside the tapestry studio, Dovecot runs an exciting programme of exhibitions and events to further explore contemporary art, craft, and design.
