From fashion article in UK Woman’s Own magazine, February 26, 1966 issue:

FASHION’S NEWCOMERS

Boutiques … Once we thought of them as chic little shops in a smart part of town that sold ‘model gowns’ at prices most of us couldn’t afford. But now what a change! All over Britain new-look boutiques run by trend-setting fashion girls are popping up and offering different, exciting, inexpensive clothes designed for the non-conformists who like to change their style month by month. Today we take a look at some of the boutiques in London and the provinces that are forcing other fashion stores to perk up their ideas. - Suzanne Grey

SHE STARTED IT ALL - BIBA’s

Young, dynamic, Polish born Barbara Hulanicki introduced the first ever young fashion mail order service to England. She designed and made up all the clothes and, working from their London flat, she and her husband, Stephen Fitz-Simon, built up a very successful business. A retail boutique was the next step. Just off Kensington High Street, they unearthed a quaint old Victorian apothecary shop. The original furniture - jars, pots chests, table and chairs are now in the British Museum. But Barbara has retained the Victorian, musty atmosphere and her boutique Biba is full of oak chests, huge cupboards, lacy curtains, plants and a pirates treasure trunk overflowing with belts, bags, beads jewellery and original hats and scarves.