Liberty Retold: Introducing the SS25 Fabric Collection
150 years of history takes centre stage
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Liberty Retold: Introducing the SS25 Fabric Collection
150 years of history takes centre stage
The curtains are up on Liberty’s newest fabric collection. Looking ahead to Liberty’s 150th anniversary in 2025, this new collection is a stage set for creativity, innovation and artistry. A play that takes place in a theatre built from the timber of two ships - Liberty’s iconic building. Here, we dive into the characters and costumes that comprise this dramatic journey through Liberty’s legacy; a story told in print.
Act 1: The Stage
The first act celebrates the inception of Liberty, founded in 875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty, who opened his first shop on Great Marlborough Street and soon after, built Liberty’s legendary Tudor flagship. The fabrics from this act commemorate some of the Liberty store’s most enduring characteristics; ‘Piccadilly Poplin: Blue Prints’ is based on the original architectural drawings of the Liberty store, whilst ‘Master Plan’ draws inspiration from the floor plans. ‘A Celebration’ is painted by artist and illustrator Ellie Curtis, and is a whimsical design featuring the carved wooden animals that you’ll discover as you meander through Liberty’s interior. It’s not all work and no play - ‘Employee’s Picnic’ celebrates the outdoor gatherings Arthur Liberty used to organise for his staff.
Act 1: The Stage
Act 2: The Cast
Over the years, Liberty has amassed a world-class roster of designers and collaborators. The archive - which contains over 50,000 designs - reflects 150 years of the artistic movement and cultural change. Whether that’s the sinuous, sculptural style of Art Nouveau, the ditsy florals of the 1930s or the swinging sixties, In this act, you’ll discover prints inspired by Allan Francis Vigers, Sidney Mawson, Madeleine Lawrence, Bernard Nevill, Robert Stewart and Colleen Farr, the designer who established Liberty’s first in-house design studio in the early 1950s.
Act 2: The Cast
Act 3: The Audience
Liberty’s guestlist of fans reads like a who’s who of the past decade-and-a-half of culture, featuring writers like Oscar Wilde and musicians including Florence Welch and David Bowie. Welch is a fan of the ‘Arundel’ print, whilst David Bowie wore the ‘Corbusier Dream’ print to perform ‘Starman’ on Top of the Pops in 1972. The performance was later dubbed “the invention of the 80s”.
But it’s not only the famous faces that make up Liberty’s cast of characters. It was Oscar Wilde who dubbed Liberty ‘the chosen resort of the Artistic Shopper’, and each curious and creative mind who visits Liberty is a source of inspiration. One of the prints is named after this moment, titled ‘Oscar’s Palace’, whilst ‘Electric Nouveau’ draws inspiration from Liberty’s rock star clientele of the 60s and 70s. There are also a smattering of supermodels in Liberty’s audience - the ‘Verve Pop’ print was worn by Grace Coddington, whilst ‘Mono Muse’ was inspired by Swinging Sixties muse Jean Shrimpton.
Act 3: The Audience
Act 4: The Next Act
Celebrating Liberty’s birthday isn’t all about looking backwards. The final act of the SS25 collection pays homage to the next 150 years, imagining what the future might hold. Digital prints like ‘Techno Beat’ and ‘Glitch’ explore the relationship between art and technology, whilst the ‘Lord Thorpe’ print is a digital retelling of a classic print story. And like Wicked, Liberty’s collaborator for Christmas 2024, this final act suggests a star-studded sequel to look forward to…
