Clockwise Margaret Annie, Edna, Ciara Print designs created in-house at Liberty, Image from the book Print & Pattern Nature by Bowie Style, published 2017

Having previously admired Bowie Style’s book collections of artists’ work, I found these bright and cheerful prints by Liberty in a book I have at home. It provided a brief history of the brand as well as Liberty’s design processes. The company was founded in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty, hence the designers are able to draw on a vast collection of artwork from Liberty’s renowned pattern archive. Their annual Open Call event, inviting new designers to collaborate with the brand, also means that whilst maintaining their characteristic style, Liberty is able to bring fresh and exciting designs to each collection.

Betsy Dress 2-6 Years
Liberty prints from http://www.libertylondon.com/uk/department/liberty-products/

Carolina Silk Chemise Liberty prints from http://www.libertylondon.com/uk/department/liberty-products/

I then went through the Liberty London website to see how the brand sold itself to the public and found these simple-cut garments in a similar style of print. The website is home to a selection of designers, with an emphasis on Liberty products that range from fashion to food and homeware. This iconic brand uses luxury materials such as silk and bold, striking patterns that immediately set them apart from the crowd. A large percentage of their designs include floral patterns that have always been popular whilst contributing to the brand’s signature style. The fact that Liberty is so recognizable underlines the importance of designer identity. Intrigued, I looked for any previous or current exhibitions that could clarify Liberty’s timeless success.

Fashion & Textile Museum website: http://www.ftmlondon.org/ftm-exhibitions/liberty-in-fashion/

A search online revealed that the Fashion & Textile Museum in London had previously done an exhibition on the brand, called “Liberty in Fashion” from October 2015 to February 2016. It explored the history and development of the company, as well as its role as an international leader in the fashion industry.

“Liberty is steeped in British tradition,” said the head of the museum, Celia Joicey. “But it has always been, and still is, hugely avant-garde.”

The exhibition included garments dating back to the 19th century, Liberty-designed costumes that featured in various films and a huge selection of over 150 garments, textiles and objects. Liberty’s design influence escalated very quickly and is even credited in part for helping to develop the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements. In addition to promoting business through their website, having their work published in books and articles and featuring in exhibitions has enabled Liberty to establish itself as a leading designer brand, whose presence in the fashion industry shows no sign of diminishing.

Starting with a page from a book at home, I was able to build up a quick view of Liberty’s background history, style and international influence. In addition to finding inspiration for my work from various sources such as libraries and the internet, I feel that I have now learnt how to use these tools as a means of developing my fashion and design awareness on a much broader scale.