Burgundy Silk-Blend Velvet Maxi Evening Dress – Biba

A dramatic Biba evening dress cut in rich burgundy velvet with the depth and changing lustre that makes velvet particularly striking after dark.

The dress follows a long, lean column silhouette, with a softly squared neckline and subtly gathered shoulders creating a faintly romantic, almost 1930s-inspired line. Long sleeves finish in wide structured cuffs, each detailed with a row of self-covered velvet buttons — a particularly attractive feature that gives the otherwise minimal silhouette a more decorative finish.

At the back, a deep scooped opening reveals the contrasting satin lining and is finished with a slim strap across the upper back. The elongated shape is balanced by a side slit at the lower skirt, allowing movement without disturbing the dress's clean vertical line.

The velvet is composed of 82% viscose and 18% silk, giving it a noticeably richer surface than synthetic velvet and allowing the burgundy colour to shift between wine, ruby and deep claret depending on the light. Fully lined in 100% acetate.

Although the black-and-gold Biba label draws directly upon the house's celebrated historic visual identity, this appears to be a later Biba revival piece rather than an original 1960s–70s Barbara Hulanicki-era garment. The Biba name changed ownership several times after the original company closed in 1975, with later collections reviving its distinctive romantic and Art Deco-inspired aesthetic.

This pre-owned dress is available from Re:Velvet, our curated vintage and second-hand fashion boutique in Marylebone, London.