Liberty Fabrics and the Liberty store in London hold a very special place in our hearts.
When we first started Weft and Warp, we approached Liberty Fabrics in search of access to a wider range of fabric bases. We knew about some of the range, Tana Lawn (naturally), Kensington Crepe de Chine (for special occasions) but the rest of the fabrics were a bit of a mystery.
While it would have been easy to dismiss us, Liberty Fabrics saw an opportunity to provide access to sewists, designers, tailors and dreamers who wanted to see and touch the amazing fabrics rather than take a chance buying metres from the UK. What we saw was an amazing trust to treat the fabric and the brand with the care it deserves.
Our first collections of Tana Lawn, Lantana (17% wool, 83% cotton) and Colombo Chambray soon opened the doors to silks, satins, shirting and our newest range of Liberty Piper lining fabrics. From those initial 10-20 fabrics came our current collection of over 150 wonderful Liberty Fabrics.
As the world opened up after COVID, we travelled to the UK to meet suppliers and importantly meet the team at Liberty. For the first time we visited the Liberty Store with a sense of understanding the history and the amazing wonders it contained, and yes, every trip to London needs a trip to Liberty.
We love the Retold Collection. To us it is the story of Liberty, the art, the fabric, the mystery and the special something that Liberty does to people.
We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Rebecca and Matthew
For Spring Summer 2025, you are cordially invited to join Liberty Fabrics as we raise the curtain on Retold, a 150-year anniversary theatrical spectacular.
Retold is a vibrant performance of innovative and celebratory designs, set in the famous landmark store. Crafted from two timber ships, the Liberty flagship forms the perfect stage to welcome this play’s cast of influential characters who have paved the way for an array of artistic movements. Dressed to entice and delight its viewers, from music legends and models to writers and actors, Liberty’s customers are our most inspiring muse. Whoever steps through the elaborate façade is taken on an extraordinary journey of magic, mystery, and charm. As we move onto the next act, a new generation of designers begin to experiment with the boundaries of technology and art.
The Stage
In 1875, Arthur Liberty opened his first shop and soon after, built his Tudor-style store on Great Marlborough Street. For this act, we take a look through the visually enthralling shop windows where we are transported to a world of theatrical magic. With its atriums and galleries, the Liberty flagship forms the perfect stage for this performance to unfold. From fabrics to curios, the stage is set with an eclectic collection of objets d’art from across the globe.
The Cast
This play’s cast of architects, writers, artists, and designers have paved the way for the artistic movements Liberty have heralded since our doors first opened. From the sinuous and sculptural style of Art Nouveau to the ditsy florals of the 1930s and the abstract expressionism of the 1950s, into the swinging ‘60s and onto today’s contemporary designs. Discover the leading figures that have played a part in weaving new narratives into the fabric of the building.
The Audience
In the late 19th century, Liberty was named one of the most fashionable shopping destinations in London. Declared by Oscar Wilde as ‘the chosen resort of the artistic shopper’, influential artists and designers alike flocked to Regent Street where they were captivated by the spectacular experience. From artists and writers, musicians and rock legends to models and actors, our characterful and lively audience – the creative customer – is one of Liberty’s most inspiring muses for SS25.
The Next Act
In celebration of 150 years, we look to the next act where our future waits in the wings. From digital imaginings to celebrated classics in contemporary guises, the new generation of designers experiment with the boundaries of the relationship between art and technology.
