Saturday 25th May 2013, 9.30
The 2013 annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition is now open on the 4thfloor at our Regent Street store. Our resident Arts & Crafts collector Patch Rogers has been curating this unique exhibition for Liberty for over 35 years. The collection includes exquisite furniture and objects dating from 1890 to the present day, with the most influential pieces coming from Gothic revival, Aesthetic Movement, the Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Deco, Modernism and Post war design, and brings visitors and collectors from all over the world.
We stole Patch away from his dedicated position at the exhibition, where he talks to each of his visitors, for a private walk through and asked him to show us some of his favourite pieces and share a little of their history.
Fabric Chair, circa 1895-1900
This exceptional armchair has not undergone any restoration. Designed by Arts and Crafts architect Michael Walter Cave, sometime between 1895 and 1900, it still features all the original fabric and materials used to make it, which is a rare find.
Writing Desk, 1900-1901
Designed by Shapland & Petter around 1900 to 1901, this stunning oak writing desk is in a remarkable condition. Its design features honesty leaves in the woodwork, indicating the designer’s desire to perhaps inspire honesty in its user. The window at the back of the frame also reveals how the designer took into account the user’s need for optimal lighting. Shapland & Petter were based in Barnstaple, Devon but also ran a store on Oxford Street and were suppliers of furniture to Liberty in 1900.
Tubeline Tile, circa 1900
Designed by Pilkington, a tile and pottery manufacturer that was based in Lancaster between 1890s to 1930s, this beautiful ceramic tile would have been used to decorate a grand bathroom or set into wood and furniture as a decorative feature.
Dining Table and Chairs, 1901
This large dining table and chairs has the grand appearance of a banquet table, delicately inlaid with leaf designs made from lighter and darker coloured woods. Crafted by Waring & Gillows in 1901, Patch recalls the set originally being on sale at one of the 1980s Arts & Crafts Exhibitions at Liberty!
Fire Screen, circa 1870 to 1880
This traditional, elegant glass and oak fire screen was crafted by furniture makers Cocks & Sons some time between 1870 and 1880. Its stained glass design features a medieval-inspired image of a nobleman and his dog, surrounded by smaller images of wildlife typically featured in original medieval artwork and furniture. At the time this piece was created, there was a fashion for recreating medieval, Chaucerian objects for the home. The blue shade used in the central glass tile was a similar blue used to decorate the pewter pieces sold in Liberty at the time, which we became popular for.
Egg Warmer, circa 1880 to 1900
A curious but magnificent object, this brass egg warmer is a classy addition to any breakfast table. Diners would lift its domed lid to reveal four egg holders inside; to keep the eggs warm they would simply fill the spirit tray at the bass of the frame with alcohol and light it, with the heat rising beneath to heat the content. This piece was designed by W.A.S. Benson for a William Morris collection between 1880 and 1900.
Firewood Table, circa 1910 to 1915
This classic kitchen or dining table would still be regarded by many as a classic piece of modern furniture. Designed and created by the Cotswolds School of furniture, this piece was designed to a high standard with visible signs of constructions such as the joints and fixtures. On the under side of the table surface are visible signs of fire damage; this piece may well have been a commission by a customer looking to salvage the remains of another piece of furniture and turn it into something else that was practical.
Tobacco Cupboard, circa 1900
This oak smoking cabinet originally featured in the Liberty catalogue in 1900! This well preserved piece features an acid etched stained picture of a cavalier smoking a pipe, and would have been used to store tobacco and pipes in the reception room of someone’s house.
Join us in store until 16 June for the Annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition.
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Friday 24th May 2013, 9.00
Last Friday we were joined by the founder and CEO of Hourglass make-up, Carisa Janes, as she lead a special masterclass as part of our Brushes with Greatness beauty week. Talking about the brand she created, Carisa shared her knowledge of make-up and beauty and offered tips on how to create beautiful, flawless looks.
Our Heritage suite was packed with dedicated Hourglass customers and make-up fans all hoping to learn a little more of Carisa’s invaluable beauty secrets and tricks from the trade. Fun and inspiring, the workshop outlined some of Hourglass’ ground breaking and most popular products, with Carisa explaining how to use them to create the perfect finish we all aspire to.
We caught up with Carisa to share some of the key messages she talked about at Friday evening’s event:
What are the fundamental values behind Hourglass make-up?
Hourglass is a luxury performance make-up brand. We focus on breakthrough formulations, technological innovations and we have an unwavering commitment to reinventing cosmetics each season. Our complexion products are infused with the most ground breaking actives available to create unbelievably surreal skin. Our hallmarks include sensorial textures, modern colour, and sleek custom packaging.
What inspired you to launch your own line?
I wanted to create a modern luxury cosmetics line. At the time, the early part of last decade, there were traditional luxury brands and make-up artistry brands but nothing that fused skincare and cosmetics. Hourglass was intended as a brand that combined both style and substance. I didn’t want to compromise anything in terms of the formulations, the ingredients or the packaging — it also had to look appealing on my bathroom counter.
For those of us who are new to the brand, what’s your signature product and what makes it special?
Our best-selling product is Veil Mineral Primer. That’s because it goes beyond traditional primers by concealing redness, minimizing the appearance of pores, and softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also repels water, contains SPF 15, and ensures your make-up looks freshly applied all day. Finally, it has a luxuriously silky and weightless formula that makes it a pleasure to use.
Talk us through your everyday beauty routine:
Two things I feel strongly about are exfoliating and using an SPF product every day. I wear a full face of make-up but it’s very natural looking: Veil Mineral Primer, Veil Fluid Makeup, Hidden Corrective Concealer, Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset, Arch Sculpting Brow Pencil, Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy, Film Noir Mascara, Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Canvas, and Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Child—all by Hourglass. For night I take it up a notch by adding black liner, false lashes and a new lip colour.
What is your top tip for fresh summer beauty?
Less is definitely more in summer. I’d suggest natural eyes, mascara, and a little pop of colour on the cheeks and lips. I use our Illume Crème-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset, which pairs a bronzer and a blush. For lips I like Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Riviera, a vibrant tangerine, or Muse - a coral red.
Finally, what top five products can we find in your make-up bag?
1. Veil Mineral Primer: It’s the foundation of every make-up look.
2. Ambient Lighting Powder: This collection of six finishing powders recreates flattering light sources. I apply Dim Light all over the face, and use Luminous Light before going out at night.
3. Film Noir Mascara: This is an all-round mascara that volumises, lengthens, separates, and conditions lashes all at once.
4. Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick: This richly pigmented, velvety matte lip colour delivers continuous all-day wear without flaking or dryness.
5. No. 28. Lip Treatment Oil: We just launched this decadent lip oil, filled with botanical vitamins and actives to hydrate your lips. It’s totally addictive, and the 24-karat’s gold tip doesn’t hurt either!
Shop the full Hourglass collection online.
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Thursday 23rd May 2013, 14.44
Tuesday night saw the latest masterclass from our Brushes with Greatness week-long beauty extravaganza with renowned make-up artist Ellis Faas and her team of experts.
Held in the Liberty Heritage suite, the lucky admirers and aspiring make-up artists who had bagged a ticket were treated to a demonstration of three different looks; bold, fresh and minimal, while sipping champagne and getting the chance to question the lady herself.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ellis Faas, her work as a make-up artist is often directional and visually inspiring; so during her demonstration Ellis showed us how her brand of make-up was developed for ease of use and with every day wearing in mind.
The demonstration focused on colour, an area within which most of us are guilty of sticking to our own ‘safe’ shades. With the Creamy Eyes shades however, Ellis showed how the colour can be applied subtly then built up as much or as little as you like into brilliantly adhering shades that won’t break into creases. These creamy colours are so easy to apply and long lasting that they have earned the moniker ‘make-up for bah mitzvahs and funerals’.
Attendees were keen to find out how Ellis uses eyeliner. For every day she recommends subtlety, especially on an older face, and demonstrated how her eye shade pen can be used to line the eye with a (surprisingly easy) flick of the brush. This is a mantra that Ellis has adopted throughout her make-up career – ‘Why shouldn’t you use your eyeshadow as a liner? Why shouldn’t a blush have the same texture as a lip colour?’
In fact, this is where Ellis sees her collection as stand-out from other make-up brands, and she wants to re-condition us out of the convention of using strictly one product for one purpose. All her colours have been taken from shades found on the human body, and this multi-use, universally flattering philosophy is demonstrated when she dabs a lip stain over a volunteer’s lips then does the same to her cheeks – an instantly natural look achieved with just one product.
Moving on to talk about some of the more editorial looks she has created, Ellis revealed the science behind her distinctive red eyelashes. Made with gelatine and glycerine then packed with pigment and squeezed into a syringe, the formula is scientific. But as with most of her products, the actual process sounds much more organic with Ellis explaining how she played with the mixture; melting, dropping and testing it in her hands until it felt absolutely right.
This trialling technique was how she came by her colour range. From observing the shades in the human body (blood-red, for example) and mixing her own pigments at fashion shows and for special effects, Ellis naturally found herself with a ready-made collection of colours that might have had origins in biology, but gave her artistic freedom.
More information about the Ellis Faas line and personal tips on how to use the products are always available from her team in the Liberty beauty hall, where you can test the products and feel the textures for yourself.
Shop the Ellis Faas make-up online.
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Wednesday 22nd May 2013, 13.19
Make-up artists and YouTube sensation Pixiwoo, AKA Sam and Nic Chapman, are joining us in store on 23rd May as VIP guests for the last day of beauty colour week, Brushes with Greatness. Famed for their down to earth, fun and easy to follow beauty and make-up tutorials, the sisters have become two of the beauty industry’s most watched and respected advisers.
The tutorial queens will be taking over the Liberty beauty hall this Thursday, recreating some of their most famous and favourite looks with a live demonstration. They’ll also be on hand to answer your make-up questions and dilemmas, so don’t miss out on the chance to see the girls in real time action.
We were dying to know which beauty products are highly prized by our VIP guests. We’ve selected five of their favourite picks below:
1. NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna – £26
“This bronzer is the perfect colour to make your skin look sun kissed.”
2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20 – £33
“Gorgeous for everyday, light coverage when you want to look like you’re not wearing make-up.”
3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light – £38
“This powder allows your skin to look and stay just the way you want it to.”
4. Ellis Faas Creamy Lips in Bright Red L103 – £22
“We really like the applicator for this lipstick and the colour is divine.”
5. Shu Uemura Black Ultimate Natural Mascara – £20
“We like this mascara as it’s jet black with a lovely wand.”
You can shop Pixiwoo’s full selection of hero products in their exclusive edit, launching online tomorrow!
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