The History of Liberty and Co.
When we were chosen to be stockists of Liberty, we knew we were becoming a part of something special. Liberty and Co. have been a staple of English fashion for over 100 years; customers from all over the world flock to Regent Street to marvel in the beautiful patterns, high quality fabrics and exotic collectables-all of which contribute to Liberty’s ever-growing reputation for all things beautiful.
But where did it all begin?
Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty (13th August 1843-11th May 1917) was a draper with a vision.
After securing a £2000 loan from his soon to be Father-in-Law, Arther (and his three members of staff) opened his shop Liberty and Co. in 1875 and succeeded to place it at the heart of London’s ever-expanding fashion culture, offering new trends, high quality fabrics and new challenges for the popular designers of the time. Within 18 months, Liberty’s reputation exceeded all expectations and he was able to repay his loan in one full amount-that’s the equivalent of just over £295,000 today!
Regent St., Carnaby, London W1B 5AH
After several successful decades, it was decided that Liberty and Co. required a building as unique as their stock and a father and son, Edwin T. Hall and Edwin S. Hall, were the architectural masterminds behind it.
The 1920’s was a time of Tudor revival as it was proudly considered ‘the most crafted and English of architecture’; with this in mind, in 1922 a lump sum of £198,000 (nine million in today’s money) allowed for the creation of one of London’s most famous (and arguably most beautiful) buildings. Innovation and craftmanship are embedded within the walls as records show that over 24,000 cubic feet of timbers from two ‘three-decker’ war ships-HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan-were used to achieve the desired Tudor aesthtetic. This includes their decks which still serve as the store’s flooring! It is worth noting that HMS Impregnable was built from 3040 one hundred-year-old oaks from The New Forest and HMS Hindustan measured the length and height of the Liberty building, not to mention sitting atop the roof is a four foot high, 112 pound guilded copper weathervane of the Mayflower, the very ship which bought the pilgrims to America in 1620.
Sadly, Sir Arthur Liberty passed away seven years before the building’s completion in 1924, but the reputation of his company and tastes was secured during his lifetime and proceeds to this day. The dedicated in-house design studio remains at the core of Liberty and Co. and continues to produce stunning hand-painted designs and reworking finds from the impressive 45,000 strong archive.
Taking inspiration from such things as English gardens, high societies and the Art Nouveau movement, Liberty and Co. have forever secured themselves within the ever-evolving crafting and fashion cultures, so much so their designs are recognisable worldwide and promote beauty, quality and a love for life.
