Liberty in Fashion
Art Nouveau Liberty fashion 1961
When I first moved to London in the late 1980s, I worked just down the road from Liberty and would spend lunchtimes in haberdashery with a Liberty-print-loving pal, planning what we could make from the metre of fabric that our meagre wages afforded. Years later as a freshly promoted fashion editor, I was back in the neighbourhood again, this time with a press discount card, but there still wasn’t much in-store that I could afford even with15% off. Today, whenever I have time in-between meetings, I can always lose an hour browsing Liberty’s beautiful halls (after I’ve Instagrammed the bejesus out of the flower stall and been to the loo).
American designer Arnold Scaasi’s Liberty print dress, 1961
The Regent Street store is 140-years-old and there’s still time to see the Liberty in Fashion exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum (on until 28 February). Largely created from a private collection, the exhibition follows the history of the department store from the 1850s – when it was founded by Arthur Lasenby Liberty – through the Tana Lawn prints of the 1930s and the paisley-swirling sixties to more recent collaborations. If you love Liberty, you’ll love this small (ish) exhibition of fabrics and frocks. Though I did personally feel that it could do with a few more modern-day clothes and fabulous new prints. I’m a big fan of the ongoing Liberty X Nike collaboration, the museum could have borrowed a couple of pairs from me…
Nike X Liberty Roshe One trainers (available HERE). To me, Liberty will always be in fashion, the womenswear range in Liberty print still looks strong today (available HERE). As Mr Liberty once said, ‘I was determined not to follow existing fashion but to create new ones.’
Pink Liberty print silk scarf, available HERE.
I bought my first Liberty print scarf last year. That Is My Age. It’s the red silk mosaic scarf (above) available HERE. And I quite fancy a pair of cotton pyjamas, for indoors and out, available HERE, plus a Roberts Radio to go with….
Liberty in Fashion exhibition is on at the Fashion and Textile Museum until 28 February 2016. There’s also a side room featuring the 1960s work of textile designers Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell.
Discussion (18 Comments)
nohatnogloves says:
I too used to love to browse in Liberty when I lived in London. First stop: stationery. Next: jewellery/perfume. Then: handbags. After: down to the china. Finally: up to fabrics. And, of course, the excellent loos. The whole place was so civilised with beautiful things at every turn. I haven’t been Up West for ages. Perhaps I should take a visit. I went to their sale in 1979 and bought some gorgeous pillow cases and a metre of tiny print. Felt like a very grown up thing to do.
I love the patterns and colors! Your scarf is incredible and will add spark to any ensemble. How I would love to see the exhibit!
(Wiping the drool from my chin) I’m going to Pin every one of these photos! I loved learning about Liberty when I studied art history, and it’s wonderful that they’re still creating such beautiful patterns. Swoon.
Sue says:
Ha! Alyson I have those Nike Roshe above. They’re fab. Was also just thinking about a pair of their pyjamas. Will definitely try and catch the exhibition (went to see the Saul Leiter you mentioned and loved it).
Liberty of London is on my “must hit” list for this year’s London visit. Can’t believe I haven’t been there yet! One of my most treasured possessions is a Liberty of London sheer silk scarf that belonged to my grandmother. It’s at least 50 years old, probably older and still looks and feels gorgeous.
Rebecca says:
In the 1930s my grandmother had a Liberty summer house dress. I salvaged it recently and used it to make my six year old daughter a dress. Completely timeless! I still can’t afford the new fabric!
julietc says:
I used to smock little liberty dresses when I had nr3 child (1st girl), would she wear them hell no – more chance of persuading her 2 older brothers into them… I still buy the fabric – that, and a very simple/plain sewing pattern to show the pretty fabric is a quick result that no one else has
Anna K. says:
Ooooh! It’s years since I was in Liberty’s as I now live in mid-Wales but I still have a white linen shirt I bought in Liberty’s 30 years ago, not to mention numerous scarves. My linen table napkins I bought for 35p each in the sale in 1976 – still in use! I loved their Varuna wool for winter dresses and always bought remnants of fabric in the sale which a couturier friend would make up for me. One fabulous dress she made in a gorgeous French printed silk (c.1985) was cut down to a blouse when the skirt wore out and the blouse is still in occasional use. I’m saving it to be buried in!
That dress, the one that Scaasi designed in 1961. I would absolutely wear that now. The neckline is incredibly beautiful and the print is just spectacular. Which brings me to this–why is that neckline not around today. The shoes-I have tons just like that. I feel the need to go back to the 1960’s….
Catherine (2) says:
I visited the exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum last week, and wouldn’t have missed it for the world – although a bigger and more representative exhibition could easily have been mounted, I think. After the fantastic 1920s and 1930s silks, kimonos and wraps, all gorgeous and full of ideas for us now, the section on the 1970s was an extraordinary experience for me – so reminiscent of the clothes I both bought and made, then. I came home full of ideas on how to integrate those seemingly ancient styles into my current plans for a wardrobe full of real style. However, a word of warning – don’t go on to Liberty itself and expect the old values and ideas. Tried to buy some fabric in an informed and thoughtful way only to be told that they only sell it in multiples of 50 cm. What a scam. Anyone who works with and buys fabric expects to buy it in multiples of 10cm, and indeed other suppliers make that possible. Resist the marketing, people!
Karen 
ShoeQueen61 
Christine 
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Wish I could see the exhibit…it looks fun!