Back to the Future: Meet Fashion’s New Artisans
Liberty shares the stories of seven artisan brands each celebrating fashion’s historic lineage of craft
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Back to the Future: Meet Fashion’s New Artisans
Liberty shares the stories of seven artisan brands each celebrating fashion’s historic lineage of craft
By: George ElliotDesigners always have an eye set permanently on the here and now and continually think in terms of newness and what’s trending next. But as for womenswear's next act, there’s a growing movement of change-making designers that are instead looking to time’s gone by, namely to a golden age when it was quality, craft and artisans that underpinned fashion. Reinvigorating traditions for the everyday wardrobe, from patchworking and crochet to weaving and hand-dyeing, their common objective is to craft beautiful clothing that we want to wear and cherish – now and for years to come. And better still, you’ll find them here at Liberty. Let’s shine a spotlight on seven fashion brands who look to the past in order to reimagine the future of womenswear.
Dries Van Noten
Born into a family of tailors, Dries Van Noten’s passion for fabrics, crafting and fashioning beautiful but functional clothing was inherited at an early age. Once an original member of the Antwerp Six – the collective of avant-garde designers that propelled Belgium onto the global fashion stage in the 1980s – today his collections of patchworked dresses, body sculpting jackets and maximalist shirts embody a never ending pursuit of excellence. These are the kind of collector’s items that will become part of your forever wardrobe.
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Dries Van Noten Striped Wrap Dress, £990
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Liberty Adelphi Voyage Sheer Cotton Chiffon Veranda Dress , £395
Liberty
Decked in an array of meticulously hand-painted prints – from psychedelic paisleys and exquisite florals to quirky graphics and tropical botanicals – you only have to glance at a Liberty shirt, dress or scarf to know instantly that it hails from our London emporium. But along with how extraordinary they look, they’re considered to be in a league of their own because of what they embody: exceptional craftsmanship, our unrivalled textile heritage and the rebellious spirit of individuality.
Read more: go behind the beams and learn all there is to know about the Liberty fashion brand
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Chloé
Founded in 1952 as one of the world’s first luxury ready-to-wear fashion labels, Chloé’s distinct take on womenswear combines a bohemian elegance with a desire to make timeless, empowering pieces we’ll wear and cherish – now and for years to come. Championing tradition over trends, notice how each of the Parisian label’s garments uphold its famed attention to care, craft and detail.
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Chloé Silk and Cashmere Bouclé Knit Jacket, £2,360
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FARM Rio Cool Foliage Cropped Knit Cardigan, £200
FARM Rio
Ablaze with tropical prints and evoking the vibrancy of Brazilian culture, FARM Rio’s colourful creations come full of dopamine-inducing potential, meaning they’ll make you feel as good as you look. Designed by a collective of creatives and driven by a quality over quantity ethos, for every FARM Rio purchase - whether at Liberty or with the brand directly - one tree is planted in the Amazon rainforest. That's maximalism with meaning.
Read more: embolden your style with the best maximal fashion brands
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ALÉMAIS
Determined to make more durable and less wasteful clothing without compromising on its signature playfulness, ALÉMAIS is an Australian womenswear brand with designer Lesleigh Jermanus at its helm. Utilising natural and organic textiles wherever possible, from hemp to ramie cotton, the label’s vibrant, patchworked and hand-embroidered pieces all embody its obsession with quality, craftsmanship and artisanal practices.
Read more: soothe your soul with the earthy tones fashion trend
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ALÉMAIS
x Meagan Boyd Printed Wide Leg Trousers
TOTEME Twisted Satin Tie Top, £350
TOTEME
Inspired by women’s lives and their need for a hardworking wardrobe, Stockholm-based brand TOTEME has been perfecting its chic and practical modern day uniform since it was founded in 2014. A master of minimalism, expect day-in-day-out comfort, neutral palettes, pieces crafted for longevity and timeless silhouettes, style cues that makes them a darling of the style-set.
Read more: master the art of minimalist style
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Cecilie Bahnsen
Beloved for her structural, oversized dresses that are as comfortable to wear as they are attention-grabbing, Copenhagen-based womenswear designer Cecilie Bahnsen blends wearability with the art and intricacy of couture. Exploring the ethos that every day is worthy of wearing our best clothing, look to this Scandinavian label for amped-up volume, theatrical silhouettes and empowering fashion.
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