Saturday 20th August 2011, 15.11
Today new and upcoming British designers descended upon our store for the very latest Best of British Design Open Call, which provides the unique opportunity for the public to pitch to our buying panel. The hopeful applicants were enthusiastic, nervous and seriously stylish – with many showing off their own handmade designs. We thought we’d share a few of our favourite looks with you, plus stay tuned next week for extended coverage as well as our live video footage!
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Friday 19th August 2011, 9.12
Modern Love were discovered at our Best of British Design Open Call – and became the only womenswear brand from April’s event to successfully make it to our shop floor. We can see why – their dramatic and vivid prints have a hint of the orient about them, and combine with feminine silhouettes for a statement look that we can’t get enough of. Designers Sarah Arnett and Kim Hunt told us about their experience and the work that goes into each collection…
What’s your designing process?
Sarah: When we started the process we decided who our woman was, and really she is a combination of the two of us, covering body shape, lifestyle and aspirations. We talk about occasions, the different places a garment might be worn and fabric choices and style considerations for each garment. Kim and I meet, discuss, then research individually; then bring it back together again to make final decisions. I mock up prints and colors and then start to work on themes and apply them to each garment. I then go and lock myself away for a few weeks and work through all the prints. Styling and detailing develop through the sampling process and we like to keep ideas open so they can evolve.
What was your inspiration for the Autumn Winter prints?
I am always intrigued by patterns in nature, composition and balance of color. I like to research and draw the natural elements and then re-create and mix them up to create my own vision. I think one can’t help being influenced by the zeitgeist from film, exhibitions, books and fashion but I have my own momentum of what I feel I should design next. The prints have ideas taken from looking at rocks in a riverbed, to mist seen in woodlands and birch trees and butterflies surrounded by climbing florals. It’s always a little more difficult to create nature inspired prints for the winter but I think the colors and textures are the thing that tie all the elements together.
How did you find the Best of British experience?
What started off as nerve wracking turned out to be the opposite. Well organised and surprisingly fast, and best of all was the connection between everyone there, all being incredibly supportive of each other. You realise that the few minutes allocated is actually plenty of time to get your ideas and products across and you could tell that people were getting useful feed back and found the experience very positive.
What would your advice be to this season’s hopefuls?
This is an amazing opportunity, for a store like Liberty to actively support new talent by allowing this day to happen is so refreshing in this commercial world and demonstrates how they view the market. Remember these are experts in their fields seeing your designs so all advice is good advice. Just be really prepared. We did practice our pitch and had researched Liberty and the other labels they stocked.
What do you love about Liberty?
The creative environment, the history and longevity of the brand. Liberty does carry and support small, niche and individual collections. It always feels luxurious but very approachable. It is a creative environment that continually strives to make shopping, or even just looking, an inspiration….and that they love print!
What would be your ultimate indulgent purchase from the store?
Kim: Choosing something from the perfume department (individually made for me) followed by a cream tea.
Sarah: An Alex Monroe charm, because I’m rubbish at buying myself jewelry, so this would feel really indulgent…and then tea with Kim.
What are your plans for SS12?
Modern Love will continue to provide artistic and individual garments that women can really enjoy wearing. We will build on what we have started, concentrating on quality in all areas from design through to manufacturing.
We also asked womenswear buyer Stephanie Jones what made Modern Love stand out at the Design Open Call:
What about Modern Love caught your eye?
The beautifully illustrated prints and bold use of colour really caught my eye on the day – Kim and Sarah were wearing the dresses and looked amazing! The shapes are feminine and really flattering on the body.
What do you look for at Best of British?
Unique and talented designers that will appeal to the Liberty woman. Sometimes it’s a fully set up brand and sometimes it’s just an idea that we can really develop and get behind.
What past Best of British designers do you still stock?
Draw in Light and Geannine Pollazzon, both of which have gone from strength to strength. Their new collections are available in store now – each utterly desirable in their own unique way.
What’s great about Best of British?
It gives new and emerging designers the opportunity to meet buyers and get valuable feedback on what’s great about their product and what might need improving or developing. I also love the general atmosphere on the day – it always amazes me that everyone is in such good spirits after queuing for so long!
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Thursday 18th August 2011, 13.49
Every girl’s best feline-featured friend is coming to Liberty! We told you last year about the exciting collaboration between Hello Kitty and Liberty Art Fabrics, and the good news is it’s almost here.
We thought treat you to a special preview of what we’ll have to offer, which includes a range of luxury cosmetics as well as five fabric prints in eight colour ways. The collection will be available exclusively at Liberty for two weeks from 26 September, but for now here’s a few items to add to your wish list:
1. Music Festival Fabric, featuring Kitty playing musical instruments
2. Apple Tree Fabric, an adaptation of a design produced in 1934 featuring one of Kitty’s favourite foods
3. Kitty Wonderland Fabric, Hello Kitty’s fantasy world
4. Kitty Town Fabric, with all Kitty’s family and friends in the setting of a quaint English village
5. Karenkubo Fabric, a new adaptation of a floral from 1933
6. A Cute Collection Cosmetic Purse with a make-up bag, mini mascara, lip gloss and eyeshadow
7. Hand wash and hand cream set featuring Hello Kitty Karenkubo Liberty Print bottles and matching printed tray.
8. Eye shadow palette with mirror and compact printed with the Kitty Wonderland print.
Rumour has it that the Hello Kitty Liberty Art Fabrics will be available for pre-order online so be sure to check back soon – we can’t wait to make our very own puuurrfect patchwork quilt!
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Wednesday 17th August 2011, 16.01
This week Edwyn Collins made a special visit to see us and take a look at his beautiful and unique Ornithology print fabric which is available now on the shop floor and online. Collins is best known for fronting Scottish rock revivalists Orange Juice, and for his international solo hit ‘Girl Like You’. Seven years ago he suffered from a stroke, and used illustration as a means of rehabilitation. His intricate drawings of birds, each named and dated, was transformed by our design team into a range of fabrics for the Liberty Rocks collection. You can watch our exclusive video interview to find out more about this remarkable story from the man himself…
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Tuesday 16th August 2011, 16.17
Lou Dalton has arrived! Visit our lower ground menswear department to discover handsome tailored jackets and chunky knits – we’ve noticed quite a few of you sneaking a closer look at her covetable two-tone herringbone blazer already. Lou completed an MA in menswear at the Royal College of Art before travelling to Italy to work as a design consultant. Her typically English collections have a rebellious edge, and she’s gained quite a reputation following her London Fashion Week shows. Read on for our exclusive interview with the designer…
What made you want to design for men?
I left School at 16 to take up an apprenticeship with a Tailor in my hometown of Shropshire. Although Pardie Clothing made the odd bespoke suit for a woman it was predominantly men’s formal & day wear along with shooting attire that I worked on. I knew nothing else, so for me it was the most obvious choice. I was young and like a sponge: out to absorb all that was around me. My mind set regarding clothing was just naturally masculine from there on.
What was your inspiration for the Autumn Winter collection?
Influences range from the frustrated and disillusioned Seattle scene through to the discomforting ruthlessness of the Russian criminal underworld.
What are three key items every man should have in his wardrobe?
A good shoe: John Lobb, Loake, and Church’s to name but a few; a good suit: preferbly bespoke and preferbly by Charlie Allen in Islington (there’s nothing more unattractive than a ill-fitting shoulder) and a timeless knit.
Do you have a muse or someone you’d love to see wearing your designs?
Not really a muse, just anyone who has a bit of a personality. I have a slight obsession with Heathcliffe, the male lead in Wuthering Heights. I would also love Hockney to have a bit of Lou Dalton in his wardrobe along with Alan Bennet and Vincent Cassel…
What do you love about Liberty?
Anything & everything. The structure of the store, the decor. Just everything; it’s all so considered and I love it.
What do you think makes British fashion so special?
The will to experiment & try something new.
What’s next for Lou Dalton?
We will be presenting the ss12 collection in it’s enirity during London Fashion Week, so pretty excited about that. Then it’ll be a wee holiday then once back I’ll be straight onto designing AW12.
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