A Little Liberty History 

We're into the swing of a long London summer and nothing speaks to the season like Liberty and their heritage prints. Cut from the finest of fabrics, from breathable cottons to delicate silks, each evokes the rich history of the heart of London's West End and British craftsmanship. From the Arts and Crafts movement of the nineteenth century to the Avant Garde imaginings of FuturLiberty, every print has its own story to tell, a story we are proud to be a part of.

An institution of creativity since its founding in 1875, the Liberty Fabrics Department celebrates the creator and the customer. Tastemakers and risktakers alike (depending on the print!) comb the rolls of fabric for design direction and the latest cultural catalysts. Every season, we too curate a collection of prints that have captured our imaginations and provided inspiration for the days ahead. Selecting fabrics that feel as good as they look, we then choose patterns that reflect our every growing community of those who share a love for meaningful and conscious design.

To say Tana Lawn is our favourite kind of lawn is a bold statement in the season of cricket and croquet, boules and badminton. Nonetheless, it's certainly a fabric we are more than fond of, especially in the Summer — lightweight and versatile, with a silk-like texture and delicately woven with twenty and hundred ply yarns from an ultra fine cotton. Developed in the 1930s and named for Lake Tana in Ethiopia where its unique fibres originated, today,Tana Lawn is formed in a bespoke production process and printed in Lake Como. Whether its gracing our boxers or guayaberas, it's a fabric considered a masterpiece of technology, innovative even a century later. 

With an archive of fifty-thousand prints, selecting only three presents a seasonal challenge. This summer the first we have chosen is the Leighton Mural. Part of Liberty's Retold collection, which celebrates the theatrical and artistic history of Liberty, the floral print is inspired by the murals of Leighton House, nestled away in Holland Park and housing the personal collections of artist Edward Leighton. Impressionistic and textural, the striking print is a rich celebration of Liberty's generous and welcoming spirit.

 

Next up is Una Landscape, an earlier print that embraces the kaleidoscopic nature of Liberty's history. A vivid triumph of colour, Una Landscape welcomes positivity and optimism, and the joyful anticipation of the warmer months. Delicate watercolours meander into whimsical patterns that evoke the sensibilities of expressionism and symbolism. Here, culture and nature greet each other, journeying hand-in-hand across a surreal landscape. 

Last, but certainly not least, is Ziggy Daisy, a subtle reimagining of a hand-painted design discovered deep in the Liberty archives, where a simplified daisy forms a checkered pattern. A contemporary take on a historic icon, the print is a nod to the array of artistic movements that have inspired Liberty over the years, and generations of Liberty shoppers who inspire, and are inspired by, London's iconic department store.

Discover our array of Liberty pieces below, or visit any of our London stores (some are only a stone's throw away from that iconic Fabrics Department!) for styling tips from our lovely team. 

Featured collection

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