Last night we were joined by the McCartney family, as Sir Paul’s first born child, Mary McCartney launched her new book aptly titled ‘FOOD’.

Having worked with her mother on her range of vegetarian cookbooks, and consulting on the brand for Linda McCartney foods for over a decade it’s unsurprising Mary has launched her own vegetarian cookbook full of uncomplicated, tasty meals to tempt both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Inspired by growing up with, and even working on, her mother’s recipes, and using stories and photographs (past and present) to tell her life through food, Mary has created recipes for friends and family that are imaginative, creative and will be universally loved.

The book launch took place here in store on the 4th floor and was of course fully supported by Paul, Stella and James. Jools Holland and Twiggy also joined to crowd to celebrate the launch.

This weekend we’ll be cooking up the Butterbean Stew and Coconut Rice Pudding…

Go veggie and get your copy in store now.

Sal is the aspiring journalist whose personal demons threaten to destroy everything she is trying to achieve. Annie is the capable domestic beauty, mothering her friends and convinced that a conventional marriage will deliver happiness and contentment. And then there is Kendra, daughter of chic liberal intellectual parents who, searching for her own identity, encounters a life she never expected and certainly not a life her parents will approve of no matter how liberal they believe themselves to be.

We’ve got 10 copies to give away! To be in with a chance of winning, simply visit our Facebook page to find out how.

Q&A with Alexandra Shulman

Is the book based on personal experience?

There are bits of my life in the book.  I shared a flat with a girlfriend in the 80′s and I worked on a Sunday newspaper.

Do you identify with one character more than the others?

I think there are bits of all the characters I identify with.  The person I am probably the least like is the journalist Sal, who is wild and chaotic.

If you give a word of advice to your twenty something self what would it be?

I would advise my 20 year old self to worry less and enjoy myself more.

What are your top 5 places in London?

I love Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, the Thames, the canal at Ladbroke Grove going both east and west, Portobello Road Market and Daunts bookshop.

What’s your favourite book?

I don’t have a favourite book – I am always finding new ones to love.  My current favourite is Helen Schulman’s (no relation) This Beautiful Life

Do you have plans to write more novels?

I hope to start another novel in a month or so.

Last week we were delighted to be joined by stylist and author Sania Pell to launch her new book ‘The Homemade Home for Children’.

The book will let your child’s imagination run wild with innovative projects including easy to make toys, decorations and novel ideas for customising clothing. Plus, we’ve even made a step-by-step video to guide you through the steps to make a Liberty Print headband.

We caught up with Sania, to learn more about her and find out about her brand new book…

Tell us about you

I am an interior stylist, author and mum of two. I started out as a textile designer, working in a top London studio creating designs for furnishing and fashion fabrics which sold worldwide. After seven years in textiles I followed my love of interiors and made the move into styling editorial and commercial photographic shoots. I now use the skills I learned as a textile designer in my styling and often include objects I have made, drawn or personalised. I think this makes a difference to my work and gives me a wonderful opportunity to be creative. When I had my second child I took some time out from commercial styling but started to write my first book The Homemade Home, which contains fifty creative projects to make for all around your home. It was published two years ago and is now a best seller.

What inspired you to write this book?

The wonderful response to my first book inspired me to write another and I wanted to focus on projects to make for and with children. I do this at home with my own children and it seemed the perfect time while they are still young. My children feature in the new book, their drawings inspiring some of the projects and they also appear in some of the photos. The book is a real family affair that we all enjoyed being part of. It is about making things that you want to keep hold of and pass down to the next generation of children.

What are your favourite projects?

Almost all of the projects now sit in my home but the bookcase dollhouse is a favourite project of mine. It was inspired by one my father made me when I was little, so it has sentimental value. Choosing the wall colours and wallpaper combinations was a fun process. As a long time Liberty fan (I have been visiting Liberty since I was a teenager) I have lots of remnants of Liberty print fabric in my studio and several of the projects in the book use it, from the floral wall hanging on the cover to matchbox mice, reversible collars to a bowl of goldfish mobile. All of them require very little fabric, so are a perfect way of using up fabric pieces left over after making an article of clothing. The flower hair band and clips are a perfect example of this and is one of my daughter’s favourites. It was one of the projects that visitors could make at my book launch and it was very popular as even sewing novices were able to make it and felt inspired to sew more. The video shows how to make them.

Do you have any top tips for being creative?

Keep any off cuts of fabric after you have made something or had something made, however large or small. Liberty prints are perfect for this because the pattern is usually small so you can always see the pattern and colours whatever the size. One of the techniques I use is to cut individual flowers or shapes from the fabric and stick or sew them to other items.

Also, don’t be afraid of using fashion fabrics for soft furnishings. It is something I have always done, whether it is a making Liberty print cushion, wrapping fabric strips around a lampshade base or using pinstripe wool suit fabric as curtains.

What’s the response been?

Both my children loved being part of the book, I would gauge their reaction to the success of an idea. If they both wanted it in their bedroom I knew it was a hit. They both have bedrooms brimming with items I have made for them or we have made together.

My daughter is wearing the fairy costume on page 86 which she also wore the tiara and wings to the book launch. I trapped sequins between the layers of fabric in the wings to give them some sparkle and she loves wearing them at every opportunity. And my son is under the Play sail on page 74. He had such fun while taking the picture which his large smile shows.

I hope the book inspires and sparks children’s imaginations. As I say in the book, make the projects with love and laughter, and give or display them with pride and joy – these are the things I believe help make a happy family home.

Read Sania Pell’s Blog

Buy her new book online

Yesterday the effortlessly glamorous Dita Von Teese was in store to celebrate the launch of her eponymous perfume, available exclusively at Liberty. Dita arrived in a navy Rolls Royce Phantom 1964 looking resplendent in a forest green draped Herve L Leroux dress. A crowd of pin-up girls queued from the early hours to meet their idol, who signed perfume bottles and posed for pictures with her fans.

Later a more intimate crowd was treated to dinner at The Arts Club Mayfair. Among those in attendance were Christian Louboutin, Stephen Jones, David Downton, Roland Mouret and Lulu Guinness, as well as our own Managing Director Ed Burstell.

Creative director Fiona Leahy (a good friend of Dita’s) created a dinner to remember with a bespoke perspex centre piece housing the most intricate and delicate vintage perfume bottles together with bottles of Dita Von Teese Eau de Parfum.

Guests sipped Piper Heidseick brut from champagne tower as well as MargaDita’s and CointreauTeese’s – two specially concocted cocktails that Dita created with Cointreau. For dinner was a Cobb Salad with a julienne of baby vegetables followed by grilled tiger prawns, baby chicken and white asparagus; with a choice of french fancies from the Arts Club’s dessert trolleys to finish.

Buy Dita Von Teese perfume

We can hardly contain our excitement – the most beautiful designer handbags from around the world have converged in our brand new room on Little Marlborough Street. Liberty favourites like Givenchy, Alexander Wang and Mulberry have been joined by new brands Coach, Valentino and Anya Hindmarch in this must-see new space. Be tempted by Proenza Schouler‘s PS1 bags in all the colours of the rainbow; woven styles from Marc by Marc Jacobs which are perfect for summer; Chloe iPad cases and exquisite beaded clutches from Marni.

Coach offer their ‘heritage collection’ which comprises re-issued 1970s styles such as tailored bucket, satchel and mini duffle bags in a modern colour palette which includes navy, lime, black and red. There is also an exclusive unisex collection by artist James Nares featuring his signature graphic brushstroke paintings on a series of luxurious tote bags in primary colours.

Mulberry has always been a favourite at Liberty and the new ‘world of Mulberry’ houses classic Mulberry bags as well as seasonal accessories. Valentino is new to Liberty; their Rock Stud collection takes pride of place with chic clutches and cross body evening bags .

The space also sees the re-opening of an original entrance to the store on the corner of Kingly Street and Little Marlborough Street that has been sealed closed for over 45 years.

Visit the new room on the ground floor or shop handbags online.

In the 1980s DMs fans would hand paint floral patterns onto their boots, an idea which the company developed into and official style with specially printed leathers. For the first time these will be available in Liberty print – whether as a more subtle lining emerging over the top of the shoe, full on floral or on a gorgeous satchel bag.

Choose between the traditional 8-hole and 3-hole Dr. Martens boots and shoes as well as the recently introduced Kensington and desert boot styles, offering a lightweight option for the warmer months.

SHOP NOW

Get up to 30% off in the Liberty Loyalty Event – our special treat exclusively for cardholders. Choose between the hottest designer fashion collections, must-have gifts and fabrics, adorable childrenswear from the Little Liberty department, revolutionary beauty products and our global edit of the most covetable accessories.

The shopping event runs from today until Sunday 22nd April at 6pm in store and midnight online. To help you enjoy this fantastic offer, we’re extending our opening hours to 10am-9pm Thurs-Sat and 12pm-6pm Sunday.

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Discovered at our August 2011 Best of British Open Call, Hibou Home’s beautiful new wallpaper collection is now available in store.

Hibou Home believe in creating children’s wallpaper that’s not only inspiring and fun but looks fabulous too; designs with longevity that will co-ordinate beautifully with the rest of your home’s interior style. Their sophisticated collection of contemporary, designer wallpapers are inspired by timeless themes children know and love. Saturated in a refined colour palette of dusky, muted tones to bring your kid’s room up to date, they’ve created cool, stylish designs perfect for children young and old.

Designed and made in England, their children’s wallpapers boast exceptional quality capturing a wonderful depth of colour in a chalky, matt surface finish that we know you will adore.

Visit the Furnishing Fabrics department in store on the 4th floor or call us on 0207 734 1234 to order via Mail Order.

Interiors – Spring/Summer 2012 from ANT!PODiUM on Vimeo.

As part of their Spring Summer 2012 collection, Antipodium have introduced their Kraftwork styles, created in collaboration with artist and quilter extraordinaire Ian Hundley.  The Kraftwork shirtdress, skirt and sleeveless shirt see the Liberty’s iconic Hera and Pepper prints reimagined with Antipodium’s trademark tongue-in-chic aesthetic. Hera was designed by Arthur Silver (the founder of the silver studio) in 1887; the peacock feather was a ubiquitous motif during the aesthetic period in which this print was designed. Pepper print was designed for Liberty by the Jack Prince studio in 1974 and been part of the classics collection ever since. Both designs form an integral part of the Liberty Art Fabrics collection and look sensational done the Antipodium Kraftwork way!

Hundley gained a degree in graphic design in his native Canada, modelled with his twin brother in New York and now patches magic together in a Georgian house in Whitechapel. Inspired by aerial photographs of small towns, Hundley’s quilts have a modern, masculine quality which turns the traditional craft on its head.

For his collaboration with Antipodium, Hundley has drawn inspiration from the label’s east London neighbourhood. Patchwork patterns have been developed from maps of the area while colours and Liberty prints have been selected and manipulated to echo London Fields and Victoria Park.

To celebrate the arrival of the exclusive styles at Liberty Antipodium has created this short film which tracks the creation of the Spring Summer 2012 collection and the development of Kraftwork.

We asked Antipodium’s creative director Geoffrey J. Finch more about this exciting range…

How did the collaboration come about?

The SS12 Interiors collection is all about exploring the delicious disquiet beneath the surface of family life, the gloss of domesticity, and the chaos and control of the home. Patchwork obviously has lovely homely quality which I wanted to subvert and toy with. I suddenly realised that it would be rude not to call upon my pal Ian. I mean, you can’t really get more modern than a Canadian manquilter in Whitechapel.

What do you love about Liberty print

There’s a wonderful nostalgia to Liberty print – I distinctly remember my mother making herself a Liberty print shirtdress for my 6th birthday party – but it still feels fresh and new. Take the Hera print we used: designed in 1887 and still super contemporary. Imagine being blessed with that quality?!

Tell us about the instillation you created on our 1st floor

We were thrilled with the fruits of the collaboration so we decided to share it properly with our lovely followers at Liberty. Jock Thompson, a genius young filmmaker and Anti- family member, created a short film for the space which documents the inspiration behind, and creation of,  the Kraftwork project and the  Spring/Summer 2012 collection. It’s chaotic and madcap – like modern family life (whatever that is now) – and plays on voyeuristic monitors (who hasn’t had a perve in the house at some stage?) surrounded by a irresistibly tactile snow of post-patchwork debris. There are so many bloody panels in every one  of those 50 pieces!

Antipodium Kraftwork by Ian Hundley is limited to 50 pieces and is available in store and online now.

Francois Nars has partnered with fashion designer Thakoon Pachnigul to develop a limited edition nail collection. The range will launch exclusively at Liberty on Monday 16th April, but you can pre-order yours online right now! The five vibrant summer shades were inspired by Indian spices: Anardana is an azalea pink, Ratin Jot an orchid purple, Amchoor a vibrant yellow, Kutki a pale blue and Koliary is a vivid cyan blue. Choose your favourite or wear them all at once!

We caught up with Thakoon himself to find out more…

How did the collaboration come about?

NARS was the perfect choice to collaborate with; they’ve always understood the sense of color here at Thakoon. And every season when we sat down to talk about inspiration, it became clearer and clearer that we should be doing a special product utilizing the color play. And once they saw the color board for Spring, it just made so much sense that we could be doing a nail project together.
What inspired the colour palette?
The colors were inspired by the amazing palette in India: the spices, the holy festival colors. It was the palette I was working on for the ready to wear collection. And we saw it as an amazing palette for nails because they’re so bold, fun and rich.

What make-up did you use for the show?
“Because the collection is so colorful, I wanted to focus on a classic, strong brow,” said makeup artist Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics. “I kept the face natural, with a little pink on the cheek for healthy color. On the eyes, I focused on contouring to show strength and attitude. A cowboy attitude, that is.”

Face:

Warm Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++  (new for Spring 2012!) into the skin, from the center of the face outwards, making sure the complexion looks even.

Apply Concealer as needed, to cover imperfections.

For a strong contour, use Zen Blush just under the cheekbone. On the apples of the cheeks, use Gaiety Blush (new for Spring 2012!), buffing upwards.

Dust Loose Powder all over, to ensure a matte, polished complexion.

Brush Laguna Bronzing Powder on the temple area to warm the complexion.

Eyes:

Start with the dark side of the Portobello Duo Eyeshadow in the bridge.

Next, brush Bengali Single Eyeshadow above the bridge and under the bottom lashes

Buff Blondie Single Eyeshadow over both colors for a clean, strong look at the bridge.

On the brow, apply Bali Single Eyeshadow to create a dynamic arch.

Highlight the area around the eye with Snow Loose Powder.

Lips:

Apply Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil all over, as a stain, not as a traditional matte.

Nails:

Paint Versailles Nail Polish on fingernails.

*Visit the NARS counter on the ground floor at Liberty for the full make-up range.

Do you have a favourite shade from the range?

I love the turquoise shade Koliary. It’s so fresh and unexpected.

SHOP THE NARS THAKOON COLLECTION

Opens 1st June 2012

We’re positively buzzing in anticipation of our brand new Accessories Emporium, 4,000 sq ft bursting  full of beautiful bags, unique fine jewellery and delectable fashion accessories. The space will also see the re-opening of an original entrance to the store on the corner of Kingly Street and Little Marlborough Street that has been sealed closed for over 45 years.

Classic handbag shapes from key brands will be peppered with seasonal styles and limited edition items that have a touch of whimsy. Coach will offer their ‘heritage collection’ which comprises re-issued 1970s styles such as tailored bucket, satchel and mini duffle bags in a modern colour palette which includes navy, lime, black and red. There is also an exclusive collection by artist James Nares featuring his signature graphic brushstroke paintings on a series of luxurious tote bags in primary colours. Classic Lanvin chain and ribbon strap bags will sit with their Mini Pop bags in textured fabrics like ponyskin and python. Loewe will offer classic bags that show the years of expertise in leather-making this Spanish company has. Alongside classics are new shapes such as Flamenco: a spirited new drawstring tote bag in softest nappa leather, available in a spectrum of vibrant colours.

Mulberry has always been a favourite at Liberty and the new ‘world of Mulberry’ will house classic Mulberry bags as well as gloves, purses, key rings, wallets, scarves and seasonal items.

Marc by Marc Jacobs bags will also have a big space, along with Proenza Schouler and Alexander Wang. Proenza Schouler’s ubiquitous PS1 bag will be available in every colour you can conceive of with seasonal variations peppered in to the mix. The Wang Rocco bag is a cult classic and continues to grow in popularity. The new emporium will offer customers a wealth of Rocco choices as well as an expert edit of the best Wang seasonal styles.

Valentino is new to Liberty; their Rock Stud collection takes pride of place in the emporium with chic clutches and cross body evening bags being must-haves. Jerome Dreyfuss has created a limited edition lemon snakeskin version of one of his classic tote bags, which will sit alongside brands like Carven and Sophie Hulme. There will also be increased presence from Liberty stalwart bags brands such as 3.1 Phillip Lim, Ally Capellino, Alexander McQueen and Givenchy.

The Jewellery

New Yorker Eddie Borgo captured the fashion cognoscenti’s attention with his bold, punky jewellery that has a feminine vein flowing through it. In celebration of the new Liberty Accessories Emporium Borgo has designed a limited edition run of his classic cone bracelets with Liberty purple crystal pave. The much loved Alex Monroe has also gotten in on the act, creating an exclusive collection of his signature pieces in rose gold.

Italian ‘fine-fashion’ jewellery brand Pomellato sits with stalwart brands like Kojis and Annina Vogel offering the jewellery pundit almost too-much choice! Italian designer Ippolita grew up in Tuscany, where she was inspired by Renaissance art and architecture. Her delicately crafted precious stone pieces have attracted an army of fans including Chloe Sevigny, Halle Berry and Mila Kunis.

Larkspur & Hawk takes its inspiration from Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras resulting in a collection that’s timeless with a twist. Faceted coloured gemstones come together to form unique drop earrings, necklaces and cocktail rings.

Ruby Kobo designers Yuvi Alpert and Danna Kobo pay homage to ancient mysticism and timeless measures of beauty in a truly modern accessories collection.

Belgian designer Audrey Savransky created the AS29 jewellery collection in response to a woman’s love of all that sparkles, and she should know being the fourth generation of diamond dealer in her family! Alluring diamond encrusted and sprinkled floral rings, bracelets and necklaces are made from vivid seasonal shades, using all the colours of diamonds, sapphires and amethysts available.

Hoorsenbuhs is a jewellery line beloved by the Olsen sisters as well as other sartorially-eloquent jetsetters. Signature chunky Snapple links form rings and bracelets in yellow and rose gold and are contrasted with delicate precious-stone inlayed pieces.

Our fashion jewellery selection will allow for further indulgence: chandelier and tassel statement earrings from Oscar de La Renta jostle for attention with tribal-influenced bracelets, friendship bands, necklaces and rings by Deszo and Isabel Marant, which are best worn en masse.

EK Thongprasert is a truly remarkable collection of conceptual jewellery hailing from Antwerp, the home of avant-garde design. The brainchild of an architect and jewellery designer has resulted in flat latex covered floral-form necklaces all in one colour interspersed with moonstone crystals.

Lulu Frost combines vintage style with contemporary design processes to create accomplished, covetable adornments featuring an eclectic mix of stones, diamantes and metals.

Venessa Arizaga worked for Zac Posen before launching her eponymous jewellery line in 2007. Inspired by her travels to places such as Puerto Rico and Mexico, her handmade designs are a striking fusion of luxe metals, fabrics, colourful keepsakes and charms.

Shaseby is also new to Liberty: linear forms and clean lines fuse to form a collection of silver and metal sculptural jewellery.

Laurent Gandini began his career designing jewellery for Missoni and Costume National. This striking collection of intricate pieces is handmade in Milan and comprises layered rock crystal pendants, lace detail and religious iconography earrings all in sterling silver.

We can hardly wait!

“I wanted it to be a perfume that smelled exactly how I imagined it. A scent needs to reflect all the different facets of my personality. It had to be elegant, glamorous, sophisticated, sexy, dark, and mysterious.”

Dita created a timeless scent which opens with a head note composed of fresh peonies, fizzy bergamot, and slightly spicy Bourbon pepper. The heart of the perfume beguiles the senses with a full and at the same time pure bouquet of Bulgarian rose, Tahitian Tiaré petals, and fresh jasmine. And in the base note, the mystical and warm scents of patchouli, musk, and smoky Gaiac wood and sandalwood captivate all who smell it.

The perfumes are contained in black glass bottles – an homage to the 1930s reflecting Dita’s glamour and allure along with her love for all things vintage. With their elaborate detailing, the flacons represent the type of luxurious accessories found in the boudoir of an irresistibly glamorous woman. The extraordinary perfume amphora fits perfectly in one’s hand. The neck of every bottle is adorned with a silk cord with a blood red pearl, which flows into a long black silk tassel.

Meet Dita Von Teese

Dita will be in store to celebrate the launch on Tuesday 1st May 10am-midday. Customers will have the chance to have their perfume bottles signed! Find Dita in our fragrance hall on the ground floor.

Q&A

Why did you decide to create your own fragrance?
Early on I understood that perfume is a very important part of creating your own mystery and glamour – it’s a tool for a woman to become every woman she ever wanted to be. I wore the same perfume for about 20 years, when I actually had an interesting experience. I was walking down the street in Paris with my boyfriend, who I’d been dating for two weeks
when he asked me what perfume I wear. When I told him the name of the fragrance he kind of hesitated and revealed that this was also his mother’s perfume. This really got me, because I really didn’t want him to associate my smell with his mother, but on the other hand this perfume was perfect and iconic for me, it fit me perfectly and it was mysterious and unknown to everyone I met until that day.
I started hunting for other fragrances that could replace it and there were some which I really liked, but none of them felt like the real me and fit me. So, I decided to create my own scent and this was a dream come true.

If you were to personify the perfume, what type of character would it be?
I think a lot of fragrances on the market are reminders of childhood. Most of them have a girlish, sweet and very juvenile character. In contrast, I wanted something that speaks of wanting to be a grown-up, sophisticated woman who is in charge of her life. I just love the idea of something that is both: very good, sophisticated and elegant, but also a
little bit mysterious, dark and dangerous. Those two things together become something very special and magical. I often thought about the great women that I admire like Marlene Dietrich or Hedy Lemarr – those sexy, glamorous, iconic women, and I couldn’t imagine them ever smelling like vanilla, fruits or candy.
Regarding the ingredients of the fragrance: Which components are dominating?

In telling the noses about my favorite fragrances I discovered that I love big, sexy glamorous flowers like Bulgarian rose and peony, so those are some of the dominating essences. They mingle with some spicy Bourbon pepper and smoky wood, which really creates a warmth and mystery on the skin.

Where did you draw your inspirations for your perfume from?
I collect a lot of books with a lot of beautiful imagery. One I really love is of photographs of Paris of the 1930s and while creating the perfume I had these visuals in my mind of glamorous women in a Parisian nightclub. I just love the idea of this beautiful heady nighttime when it mingles with our body odeur and smoke and nightlife.

Tell us about your inspiration for the bottle design

Initially, when people think of me, they think of me with rhinestones, feathers and of the clichés of Burlesque and striptease. But I had different ideas about how the flacon should be. I didn’t want a “showgirly” pink perfume, because that is not what I was inspired by. I wanted to do something very sensual, sleek and simple in a way that relates to the image of a Femme fatale and something adult or womanly, something that reminds me of the vintage perfume bottles that I have. The bottle of “Dita Von Teese” is something you find in a black satin handbag of sophisticated women, however the tassel and the small emblem, which is refined with a martini glass, feathers and a corset, speak in a subtle way to my Burlesque side.

When it comes to modern and ancient idols, who are your favorite icons and why?
Well, one of my favorite style and beauty icons is Marlene Dietrich, because she was very in tune with what her own personal style was. She was very powerful, in control of her image and very knowledgeable of everything she
was doing. A lot of my heroines in real life are sort of obscure women whose names a lot of people probably don’t know immediately, because they are not in the limelight or product of a Hollywood stylist.

We opted to try one of the brand new dishes – the braised duck tortelloni with sauté chestnut mushrooms in tomato basil sauce. It was melt in the mouth delicious, the subtlety of the duck meat complimented beautifully by the freshness of the tomato sauce. Eager for more, we also sampled Ivan’s take on the classic chicken Caesar salad, made with Corn fed chicken with golden syrup glazed pancetta and a soft boiled egg. This looked to be a very generous serving until we practically inhaled the contents of the plate in delight. If we didn’t have to rush back to Liberty HQ, we would have opted to follow this with a lemon tart with raspberry coulis and trio of macaroons – we’re practically salivating at the thought.

Click here for the Café Liberty Menus and come try it for yourself on the second floor of our Regent Street store. Stay tuned next week as Ivan picks out his favourite signature dishes for us…

Hermione de Paula is one of the latest rising stars of London Fashion Week to catch the eye of our buying team; and her dreamy hand painted florals have become a firm favourite in store. Now in her third season at Liberty, Hermione has been recognised by the British Fashion Council as part of the British Designers Collective. In this guest post she gives us an exclusive insight into her day-to-day as she celebrates this achievement and her continuing success…

“Today I’ll be out for the day at an event organised in association with the BFC. The British Designers Collective plays host to some of our fellow Liberty brands such as Jonathan Saunders, Marcus Lupfer and Peter Pilotto. I’ve chosen to present a selection of our hero archive prints and best selling styles: contrast collar shirts, easy to wear separates and light day dresses, all proudly made in the United Kingdom.

Dressing for the beautiful sunny day, I decided on an bright embellished cape from AW12 with hidden fish detailing within the florals – too tempting not to dip into new season already! We have nicknamed this one the flying fish print as it has hand painted ostrich feathers embellished over the fish tails in the print which flutter as you move so it looks like the fish are swimming! I team this with a signature bias cut dress, and some heavy duty lace up booties that I picked up when I was in Tokyo.

Before long we’re whisked off back to London to finish up in the studio for the day, organising send outs for the Liberty press event the following day. We’re also super excited to hear that Karen Elson will be wearing one of the signature prints from SS12 – Foxglove Fantasy, which is a vivid pink print with birds and interwoven vines. Florence Welch also wore this earlier in the season – we’re loving the red hair on pink combination! Florence has worn a lot of pieces from SS12 which are available in store at Liberty now.

Emails galore brings me closer to lunchtime – we’ve recently moved to a new studio and love sitting outside on the roof terrace off my office when the weather allows – its nice to have an outdoor office!  The girls are busy working on production plans for Autumn Winter we’re excited to be launching in Moscow and Qatar this season – the brighter hues in the new winter collection have proved to be a success.

As the working day draws to an end I play around with some new illustrations and paintings to incorporate into my work. I head out for a dog walk in the evening sun along the New River in Islington with my close friend and long time collaborator, photographer Kristin Vicari. She’s has recently acquired a Samoyed named Teddy Francoise who is an adorable huge bear that towers over my mini trio.  We chat about future projects and summer travels plans – we’ll both be in L.A. next month working.

Back to the studio and another few emails before I pop out to catch up with Nicholas Kirkwood and his partner Chris Suarez for some after work drinks, then we head to a friends birthday party and enjoy unwinding after a busy week.

View the Autumn Winter 2012 Lookbook at hermionedepaula.com

Shop the current collection at Liberty.co.uk

The day we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! Heritage and style collide in the latest Nike Sportswear summer footwear collection with Liberty. One of Nike’s most coveted collaborations, it will celebrate the legacy and evolution of the brand’s running innovations over four remarkable decades of style.

Plus for the first time a capsule apparel collection has been introduced to accompany the footwear collection. The range extends the heritage-running story, incorporating subtle Lagos Laurel print highlights. Choose between the soft brushed cotton full zip AW 77 Hoodie, tempo shorts and racer back tanks.  The entire collection will be exclusively showcased in our bespoke Nike pop-up space, open now on the 2nd floor.

Shop Nike x Liberty

Dark Romance

Deep, gothic purple and mauve with flashes of forest green and Renaissance brocade. Jonathan Saunders‘ graphic jacquard set our hearts a flutter, and Roland Mouret‘s impeccable tailoring makes for a collection full of timeless investment pieces.

Orientalism

Luxe silk; complex Baroque prints and origami folds from the likes of Dries Van Noten, Kenzo, Proenza Schouler, Haider Ackermann and Hermione de Paula as well as Modern Love, discovered by the Liberty buyers at our Best of British Open Call. Don’t miss House of Hackney‘s floral dresses, which feature the same prints as their beautiful homewares.

Colourama

It’s a fabulous fashion rainbow with rich berry shades from Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane and Haider Ackermann; luscious lime from Peter Pilotto, cool cobalt from Richard Nicoll and vibrant violet from Roksanda Ilincic. We love going matchy-matchy and coordinating our shades, then spicing it up with a contrasting accessory like Alexander Wang‘s studded Rocco bag, now in scarlet.

Fabric Fusion

A delightful collage of textures, prints and hues, we saw an enticing combination of fabrics sitting alongside one another on the catwalks. Liberty favourite Michael Van Der Ham has built his reputation on his ability to skillfully juxtapose textiles, and this season the likes of Carven and Sharon Wauchob have gotten in on the act.

Opulent Elements

Fit for a queen: think gilded sheers from Michael Van Der Ham, metallic tweed from Teatum Jones, dazzling Swarovski crystal embellishment from Sharon Wauchob, sparkling glitter jeans from Acne and silk smoking jackets from Stella McCartney. Team with stunning EK Thongpresart jewellery and a Chloe beaded handbag – coming soon to our new Accessories Emporium.

Into The Wild

Hear us roar with lashings of leopard print: sequin encrusted knitwear from Sister by Sibling for Lulu & Co, the return of B Store Loves Liberty with flashes of print in pockets, House of Hackney mini dresses and fuzzy cardigans and Christopher Kane‘s sensational biker jacket and tailored coat.

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At our Press Day last week Liberty Head of Press Kate Brindley has some top tips for this season’s investments:

1. Leather and lots of it – down to the fine detail of leather piping at Christopher Kane.
2. For AW12 the lady is a vamp: I’m going uptown in statement dresses from Roland Mouret and Roksanda Ilincic and my it bag is from Valentino… when I’m going downtown in will be in Richard Nicoll’s cobalt blue shirt dress – killer colour in a relaxed silhouette
3. My colours of the season are purple, lavender and inky blue.

Plus our Womenswear Buyer Stephanie Jones picked out her 5 favourite pieces:

1. Sharon Wauchob Swarovski coat – Exclusive to Liberty this classic coat is given a luxurious twist with the subtle black Swarovski detailing

2. Roland Mouret pencil dress – We’re excited to have picked up Roland Mouret for Autumn Winter 12, his classic yet sexy dresses are a great addition to any woman’s wardrobe.

3. Roksanda Ilincic purple dress – Roksanda is also new to us for Autumn Winter 12. This stretch crepe dress in a gorgeous rich purple will get you in the mood for some Christmas cocktails.

4. Peter Pilotto padded jacket – Peter Pilotto’s puffa in their signature print is a really fun way to do the coat of the season.

5. McQ cream jumper dress – This knit dress embodies McQ’s aesthetic as the fun-loving little sister of mainline Alexander McQueen. Retailing at £465 it’s a must-have for AW12.

Yesterday a plaque was unveiled on Heddon Street, just a stone’s throw from our Regent Street store. After Baker Street it is the second place in London to hold a plaque dedicated to a fictional character. This one’s for Ziggy Stardust: David Bowie‘s eccentric creation; a starman fallen to earth. And most importantly, in our eyes anyway, this space invader was rather fond of Liberty Art Fabrics,

“Ziggy Stardust was a cockney — recorded, photographed and last sighted in W1. Even his costume was stitched from cloth bought in Liberty’s — and today he has become one of London’s great fictional characters.” Gary Kemp

The spot marks the place where Bowie shot the cover for “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”. Why not take a look for yourselves, then pop across the road to our Haberdashery to make a Ziggy inspired outfit of your own! We think he would have loved this season’s Sandalwood paisley print.

Donna Hay

Donna took some time to answer a few of our questions…

How did the Royal Doulton collaboration come about?

I love homewares and have collected both vintage and new pieces over my full working life. Numerous Royal Doulton pieces make up my personal collection and those used in my shoots and work. So it was a privilege to be approached by the company and share the journey of developing my own homewares range.

What was your vision for the range?

I worked to create a range of premium multi-purpose everyday pieces. The addition of cake stands, pierced cake coolers and glass domes adds to both the practicality and fun that can be had with everyday meals plus making simple occasions special with a few extra touches.

I was inspired by my years as a food editor and stylist and revisited some vintage pieces I had collected to re-purpose them and create a range that is both modern and nostalgic.

What do you look for in good kitchenware?

They have to be practical and good quality. I love pieces that have some multi purpose elements so they can be enjoyed everyday in a number of ways, even if it’s a little unexpected and personal to your needs and style. For example, using your favourite teapot as a vase or serving each course and a mixed dinner service where there is a staple element such as an all white base.

What are your top three must-haves for the kitchen?

 A good quality mixer, such as a Kitchenaid, great mixing bowls with a pouring lip and a well stocked pantry with all the essentials. I know the last one is a cheeky must-have! But quick meals mean taking some time making sure you have the basics to create something from pantry staples mixed with a few fresh ingredients.

What are your top tips for stress-free cooking?

Start with only a few fresh flavours and keep things simple, they taste better! Also make sure you plan ahead and don’t be afraid to take a shortcut, then the results are even more satisfying

Could you give us a recipe that you think would be the perfect thing to serve on the collection?

I would suggest yoghurt and passionfruit syrup cake from my cookbook Seasons. This cake is great for an afternoon tea or as dessert after Sunday lunch in the warmer months, and with yoghurt as an ingredient it also keeps incredibly well.

The cake looks beautiful served on one of the footed cake stands or for a more rustic approach. Present the cake on the pierced cake cooler, the syrup dripping through the holes is visually tempting (who wouldn’t want to scoop some up with their finger!) and place the glass dome over to keep the cake ready for the sure-to-be requested second helpings.

150g butter, softened

1 cup (220g) caster (superfine) sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 cup (280g) thick Greek-style natural yoghurt

2 cups (300g) self-raising flour, sifted

passionfruit syrup

1 cup (250ml) passionfruit pulp

½ cup (125ml) water

½ cup (110g) caster (superfine) sugar

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (320 Fahrenheit). To make the passionfruit syrup, place passionfruit pulp, water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and cook for 10-15 minutes or until syrupy. Set aside.

Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat for 10-15 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add yoghurt and beat until well combined. Fold through flour. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 24cm Bundt tin* and bake for 35 minutes or until cooked through when tested with a skewer. Remove cake from the tin and place on a serving plate. Spike all over with a tiny skewer, drizzle cake with syrup and serve while still warm. Serves 8.

*A Bundt tin is a round, fluted cake tin with a hole in the centre.

]]> http://www.liberty.co.uk/blog/10938/reset-your-clocks-the-nike-x-liberty-countdown-has-begun/feed/ 1 http://www.liberty.co.uk/blog/10949/make-your-perfect-summer-dress-with-liberty-art-fabrics/ http://www.liberty.co.uk/blog/10949/make-your-perfect-summer-dress-with-liberty-art-fabrics/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:15:10 +0000 Josephine Gowans-Eglinton http://www.liberty.co.uk/blog/?p=10949

If you’re after something a little different for your summer wardrobe, we think a bespoke Liberty Print dress is most definitely in order. Visit our haberdashery now, and our expert staff will help you choose a pattern, fabric, and advise you of any extras you might need. Or, if you’re a dab hand on the sewing machine, simply order one of our fabrics online and we’ll deliver it to your door. There’s even better news: our new season prints are now available as Ganton cotton jersey, Taormina voile, silk satins and crepe de chine as well as our luxury Tana Lawn cotton. The above dresses feature the Milliner print in crepe de chine (left) and TV Ted in Tana Lawn cotton (right), modelled by the lovely Laura Bailey:

“I loved both the traditional and modern floral patterns, but I wanted something more modern, graphic and unexpected. I was so thrilled with the result. The cuts of both dresses are as impeccable as you would expect from made-to-order, but the fabric makes them personal and extraordinary.

Both timeless and totally modern, I will cherish my Liberty Art Fabric dresses, the story behind them and the summer dancing nights ahead.”

If you’d rather stick with something ready-made, why not try a B Store Loves Liberty dress? Classic summer styles in our new season fabrics, with a playsuit for days in the park! There are shirts and t-shirts for guys too, as well as our own classic Liberty Print shirt range – we’ve got you set for a fabulously floral season ahead.

Nana de Bary

Classic Pink – Delicate bergamot and ginger topnotes with a heart of jasmine, iris and sandalwood over a base of vanilla and musk.

Bronze – Radiant mandarine and ylang ylang on top with jasmine and tuberose at the heart with iris, cedar and cinnamon as a base.

Green – Sparkling bergamot and citron topnotes with an unusal basil and cardamom heart over thyme, must and vetiver.

Nana led a charmed life, gaining loyal followers until the closure of her cult store in 2004. Her perfumes, however, live on; strengthened from an Eau de Toilette into an Eau de Parfum for a longer lasting scent that clings delicately to the skin. Each one comes in a simple and elegant unbranded bottle, allowing the wearer to make it her own.

Nana de Bary perfumes are available exclusively at Liberty.

Tell us about your inspiration for AW12

Teatum Jones AW12 explores the sensationalistic and menacing side of the Grimm’s fairytales and Hollywood crime scene photography circa 1940’s. Both subjects, once divorced of their folkloric enchantment and stylized imagery, reveal wickedness, cruelty and abandonment in inconceivable measures. Teatum Jones’ AW12 collection paints scenes of oversized, treacherous yet utterly magical landscapes, blending early 19^th Century Germany and 20^th Century Hollywood. These scenes cast ominous light over what happens when one removes the magic from folklore and is left with the starkness of reality and plausibility.

Are there new styles or details that we haven’t seen this season?

For AW12 we have worked on a more fitted silhouette in the Faylinn and Rhoslyn Dresses but it is very much a Teatum Jones interpretation of a structured silhouette. We have cut the styles with fluid silk panels on the sides of the body and places like the back of the sleeve to achieve a softer fit against the more structured fabrics. It results in very flattering lines and an elegant fit that appeals to many women who may not always buy into fitted dresses.

We have also really invested in and developed our fabrics and luxury trims for AW12 using French and Italian Mills that traditionally work with couture houses. We have developed a rich Electric Pink Tweed containing cashmere, alpaca as well as neon pink Lurex yarns. We’ve also designed an outlandishly oversized gold popper, each one taking an hour to sew on! Because of all this, the whole collection has a very luxe, fresh and contemporary feel to it.

What have you learnt since your debut?

The value of taking time off to reflect! Running a fashion brand takes 200% of your time, commitment, energy and focus and we’ve learnt that although there are times when its absolutely necessary to work 24/7 its equally as important to take the time to step away, reflect and gain fresh perspective!

Do you have a muse or someone you’d love to see in your clothes?

All the women who surround us play their part in being our muse including the women in our team as well as the women in both our families. All of them are confident and successful women in their field and we find nothing more attractive than the purity of confidence.

What do you love about Liberty?

What is their not to love?! Liberty is the most sophisticated and elegant shopping experience that you can have in London. When you go into Liberty there is an air of aspiration that is contagious, you can plan to pop in for 20mins and end up staying the whole afternoon. This is because of its rich heritage, luxurious yet directional floor and window displays. There is also the very important fact that the sales staff are incredibly well informed about the collections they are selling, they have that rare ability to judge when a customer needs guidance and when they are comfortable with browsing.

What’s your favourite place in London that people might not know about?

The Vespa Café on Lower Marsh is the most diverse and culturally chic place tucked away behind The Southbank. It serves a hot chocolate so authentic you can stand your spoon up in it and you can listen to M.I.A whilst there is a poetry recital going on in the basement room! We love it for a Sunday evening if we’ve been working all weekend and need a couple of hours to catch up outside the studio!

What are your plans for the future and how would you like to see the brand grow?

We’re extremely proud to be in Liberty London and we would like to see the brand stocked in the US’s equivalent to Liberty. The US, Canada and The Middle East have all shown such a strong press interest in Teatum Jones that has grown organically since the brand launched the debut SS11 collection so we are planning to expand our retail presence in these markets alongside the growth in press.

Teatum Jones are also looking forward to an exciting 2012 with key stylists and publicists currently approaching us to dress very aspirational women. We’re really excited about collaborating with like-minded and inspiring brands some of which we are having meetings with in regards to collaborating using our signature prints. Top secret for the moment but we look forward to all being revealed!

“We’re really looking forward to opening a permanent Liberty shop after seeing the response to our four month pop-up ‘experiment’ last summer. This time we will be taking over a dedicated, contained space so we can REcreate elements of our Northumberland store to inspiRE all the rooms in your home.” say RE founders Simon Young and Jenny Vaughan. “We hope to spread colour, pattern and joy!” they say “Today’s home owners are more ‘nomads’, they create home out of whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want, and out of the new, the old, the second hand, the mass produced and the hand crafted. It’s been our RE philosophy since day one.”

The space will be divided into key product categories with an ever-changing calendar of seasonal displays focusing on key events and past times such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, British summer time, harvest festival and folklore, Halloween and of course a REcycled Christmas.

The ‘eat’ area will house candy-hued American milk glass cake stands, printed plates, coloured glass and a new range of skull shot-glasses and tea light holders. The ‘cook’ section will focus on tea towels, vintage storage jars, scales and biscuit cutters. ‘Shrine’ is dedicated to Simon and Jenny’s love of ‘Day of the Dead’ motifs and Mexican trinkets, and a new ‘Last Supper’ print range of tea towels and plates. ‘Outdoor’ will feature rusty metal signs, restored garden furniture, vintage pots and tools. ‘Utility’ will cater for the cleaning obsessed and those with a love of hardware. Vintage wool blankets and a new range of school blazer stripe cushions make up ‘living’. Old maps and vintage framed pin boards make ‘office’: the perfect place to pick up items to make working a little more bearable.

RE opens today on the 4th floor of our Regent Street store

Throw a quintessentially English tea party with the launch of Royal Albert‘s vintage homes and lifestyle collection. Borrowing the best styles of bygone days, the range of five new floral patterns fuses retro patterns and shapes with the latest materials and fabrics to suit the modern home. Stretching back over 150 years, Royal Albert has always been passionate about floral design, inspired by English country rose gardens.   Original, timeless and charming, the new collection perfectly echoes these longstanding traditions of floral patterns with nostalgic twists like polka dots and ruffles. From the debut of exquisite textiles and accessories through to formal and casual dining and tea sets, this floral wonderland will bring a luxurious vintage feel to any social gathering.

Choose your favourite from New Country Roses in white and pink; Pink Confetti; Polka Rose and Blue Polka, or combine them all for a beautifully eclectic look.

Shop Royal Albert online, or discover the dedicated space on our 3rd floor.

“We’ve been obsessed with value, but not real value, cheap goods. We’ve been left with beautiful factories that were empty. We lost people, skills, community. We no longer want to be passive consumers; we want to think about what we buy and where it’s from.We have a small opportunity to reinvigorate British manufacture and restore a sense of pride. I want every woman in Britain to have a pair of Kinky Knickers in their drawer.”

Mary also had some kind words for us:

“Thank you Liberty, the best store in London – but everyone knows that now don’t they? Every aspect of the store is considered, from a ‘Hello’ from a Sales Assistant as you pass their department to specially chosen music. It’s not about filling every inch of floor space with product, it’s about taking the customer’s breath away.”

Shop Kinky Knickers

The department, like our gorgeous new display, features beautiful murals specially created by illustrator Richard Johnson. There’s also a special window dedicated to our Liberty Print Bugaboo stroller – enter our competition now for your chance to win one!

Shop Little Liberty Online Now

WIN ONE OF THREE BOTTLES

Bruce has kindly given us three bottles of his intoxicating elixir to give away, for your chance to win just leave a comment on this blog! Be sure to leave your email address and please note that this will not be made public. Entries close 6pm on Thursday 15th March.*

What’s more, Bruce also conceded to answering a few of our questions, enjoy!

You are renowned for creating beautiful wedding and eveningwear collections – what made you want to have your own fragrance too?

Creating my own fragrance has always been on my list of things to do and for some reason, I never got around to it. Then in 2010 I turned 60, the Bruce Oldfield label had its 35th birthday and it just seemed like the perfect opportunity to mark the occasion and do something a little bit different. I think it turned out pretty well!

Can you describe the scent in 3 words?

Fresh. Opulent. Playful.

If we were to choose one fragrance from the Liberty Fragrance Hall, why should it be yours?

My scent is perfect for those looking to be whisked away from the day-to-day, taken to somewhere more exciting and luxurious. For me, it’s very evocative of the time I spent in the South of France in the 70’s with Charlotte Rampling, who was my muse at the time, and in a way still is. The fragrance conjures up scenes of blue skies and warm, decadent evenings in Cap d’Antibes – times of lavish glamour and endless fun. I’ve tried to recreate that feeling in my scent using a mixture of ingredients such as mimosa, ylang ylang, bergamot and the African rose. I find it offers something a little different, a unique, modern twist on the elements of tradition.

What kind of woman would wear the Bruce Oldfield fragrance?

CharlotteRampling, Nicole Kidman, Keira Knightly – these personify the type of woman I love to design for. They’re chic, feminine, playful and sexy whilst at the same time extremely sophisticated and intelligent. They keep the glamour alive in a world that’s so demanding and instantaneous. I love that. I envisage those characteristics in the women who wear my fragrance.

What fragrance do you wear yourself?

I wear Acqua di Parma because it’s fresh, light and clean. I don’t like fragrances that are too overpowering, you shouldn’t be able to smell someone coming before you can see them. Subtlety is key. Acqua Di Parma is subtle and so I’ve stuck with it for a long time.

 Are there any plans to expand the range, or is 1 the magic number?

At the moment I’m concentrating on the couture side of the business so there aren’t any developments on the fragrance front as of yet. Hopefully sometime in the (not too distant!!) future I’ll be taken to some glorious far-flung corner of the world and it’ll inspire something new. You never know!

Buy a bottle of Bruce Oldfield Eau de Parfum, available exclusively at Liberty

*Terms and Conditions apply. Please note that all comments will be counted but may not be published. Any comments containing personal information or content deemed inappropriate will not be visible to the public.

Please note that entry has now closed. Winners have been notified – please check your inbox to see if you’ve been lucky and look out for plenty more exciting competitions to come!

HealGel

There are many ‘doctor’ brands out there.  What makes yours different?

Really, we simply wanted to ensure that our patients were taking the best possible care of their skin after treatment.  Many of our patients divulged that they were using products that we knew to possess only placebo value.  Looking at what was then available, we identified a need that was not being met; a single effective treatment for post operative skin.  We spent three years refining the formula, to address all forms of compromised skin conditions.  To begin with, it was used exclusively by our patients, but we became progressively aware that it was being applied for all kinds of complaints  from blemishes for teenage skin to rosacea, which as you know is often difficult to treat.

How did you form your team?

As five friends and colleagues, we came together at an exciting time to make a difference in an industry.  Because we love what we do, and were able to offer a combined industry perspective of over 70 years, we knew we could make a product that could stand out in an already crowded market. We have an unrivalled collective publishing history on a broad spectrum of key areas from free radicals to delivery systems, anti-oxidants, to specialist procedures such as complex wounds.

You describe yourselves as being five of the world’s leading plastic surgeons.  Tell me a little more about your different fields of specialism.

I’d like to start with the late Martin Kelly, a great friend and colleague at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.  Professor Peter Butler currently heads the UK Facial Transplantation Research Team based at the Royal Free Hospital.  Like Simon Withey, he specialises in complex wounds and has produced an extraordinary number of peer reviewed papers in this area. Patrick Mallucci works at an equally international level, teaching, advising, and practicing, and also acting as a spokesman for the profession in the media.  As well as continuing to develop my work with Facing the World, I run a private clinic inHarley Street.

So what next?

It has been really encouraging seeing the response to HealGel.  We love getting feedback from those that benefit from it, in a really surprisingly wide range of ways.  It is great to think that it is as useful for a teenager with spots to a pensioner with dry, itchy skin.  There have been some really touching accounts of patients with serious post-op issues, people that have been given immense relief from use of the gel.  And of course, girls who just want firmer skin around their eyes for a special event.  The anecdotes hale from Hollywood to Hampstead.  If we’ve had a single criticism it has been that the jar is too small!

Shop HealGel