Liberty London
Liberty on Great Marlborough Street, inbetween Regent and Carnaby Streets.
A Heritage Brand in London’s West End…
A number of years ago I saw a documentary series on Liberty. I had been to London a few times but for some reason never visited this fabulous store. The TV series, if I recall correctly, was filmed over a year, covering the different seasons and featured people who worked for Liberty in design, sales, management and customer service.
Last time I was in London, I made sure it was on our ‘to visit’ list, and I wasn’t disappointed.
First of all, I love Tudor architecture. Liberty was not built during the Tudor era rather it was constructed in the 1920s. It was constructed from retired naval ship wood and done in the Tudor Revival style. This is evident in the half-timbering on the exterior, along with the leaded windows and oak-paneled rooms. The weather vane atop the center of the building is a gilded copper miniature of the Mayflower ship.
The interior of Liberty, six floors of unique shopping.
A Shipful of finds…
Inside you’ll find multiple floors, all encased in wood and topped by handcrafted oak beams. They circle a light-filled atrium.
The founder of Liberty was Arthur Lasenby Libert, who wanted Liberty to resemble a ship docked in the city, full to the brim with imported wares from around the world, and especially from the Far East.
Today, the store still retains that sense of bohemian eclecticism and mix of Art Nouveau and Victorian style. It’s the opposite of the cookie-cutter chain store so prevalent today.
Famous for their all-over prints, in scarves, dresses and housewares.
Famous Liberty Fabrics…
The floor that I liked the most is the home furnishings from around the globe. However, what Liberty is probably most famous for now days, is their fabric designs. Bolts of fabrics run along walls and each season a new batch comes in. The all-over florals are classic.
Tiger pillow from Hackney House brand.
There are many motifs of exoticism, such as this little tiger pillow with distinctly eastern flair. I actually ended up buying this - I have a hard time passing up tasseled pillows, plus I liked the colors and the stylized print.
Housewares floor at Liberty, London.
Soho and West End Shopping…
Liberty has a restaurant that also serves Afternoon Tea. I did not partake but it looks very nice. As it is located in the Soho/West End district, there are many other restaurants and shops nearby. Fortnum & Mason, for one and Saville Row and Bond Street are nearby.
A gallery wall of framed art for sale.
So, next time you’re in London - go - you’ll not regret it. For the maximallist or bohemian at heart, it will be inspiration galore.
Visit: Liberty London
P.S., I have the ‘The History of Liberty’ book too and I’ll soon be reviewing it.