Liberty of London

An exhibit celebrating the 140 years of Liberty of London fashions is being held at the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey, London, England from 9 October 2015 through to 28 February 2016.

I was determined not to follow existing fashion but to create new ones.” Arthur Lasenby Liberty
Liberty has been at the cutting edge of design and the decorative arts since 1875.

“From the earliest imports and Eastern influenced and artistic dress to present day collaborations, Liberty has occupied a unique place in British fashion. Every garment in the exhibition has been carefully chosen to enable the Museum to represent the incredible range of textile designs created by the firm as well as to present an argument about why Liberty is always ‘in fashion’”. – Dennis Nothdruft, Curator of Liberty in Fashion

The exhibition will explore Liberty’s impact on British fashion, from Orientalism and Aesthetic dress in the 19th century, through Art Nouveau and Art Deco in the early 20th century, and the revival of these styles since the 1950s. Liberty Art Fabrics and the textile design studio take centre stage as the internationally recognised leader in floral, paisley and patterned prints and dress fabrics.

Featuring over 150 ensembles and accessories, this exhibition will boast the largest number of historic Liberty artefacts since the company’s centenary in 1975. Of the items on display, the oldest include a cape from the 1890s constructed form Chinese shawls, a Paul Poiret silk robe from the 1930s and a late 1960s Macedonia print dress. These archive pieces will sit alongside high profile contemporary collaborations including Vivienne Westwood and Nike.

So if you are in London and have some time, why not give this museum and exhibit a visit?

Fashion and Textile Museum
83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF

http://www.ftmlondon.org/ftm-exhibitions/liberty-in-fashion/