FRO M T H E
Melding a rich t apestry of 195 0s and 196 0s paisley scarf designs from the Liberty archive, this theatrical pattern revels in the beauty of the artistic process. Crafted through collaging, transforming, and selective editing, Paisley Fanfare revit alises the traditional paisley motif with a spont aneous interplay of unfinished and intricately det ailed elements.
Honouring the enormous influence of the Huguenot emigres on England’s textile industry, Weaver ’s Wonder is reminiscent of the fashionable Spit alfields silk weaves of the early 18th century. Subtle geometric touches enhance the grandeur of its decorative flowers and swirling foliage, imbuing it with a modern B aroque aesthetic.
Inspired by a small det ail t aken from design Weaver ’s Wonder, this charming coordinate print captures the elegant simplicity of symmetrical flowers. Inez Mio is a contemporary geometric bot anical, highlighting the intricacies found in more elaborate artworks through its tile-inspired layout and delicately striped textures.
Exploring the t actile nature of woven brocades, Laith evokes notions of craftsmanship inspired by the legacy of the renowned Spit alfields Weavers. Using close-up studies of floral motifs extracted from design Weaver ’s Wonder, this graphic interpret ation blooms into an array of synchronised bot anical waves brimming with texture and movement.
Delving into the multifaceted process of creating printed textiles, the Liberty design studio was inspired by the flat, block-coloured areas typically found across the edges of tiled-out repeat patterns. Drawing from a diverse range of hand-painted archival artworks, Marina’s Tea Garden emerges as a striking floral silhouette, meticulously redrawn to capture the richness and tonal subtleties of gouache brushstrokes.
T A N A L A W N T M C O T T O N : R O H A N K I A A N
Designed in the Liberty studio, Rohan Kiaan is an ode to the wonderful craftsmanship of textiles. Inspired by educational silk weaving exhibitions held at the Liberty store during the 18 8 0s, this mesmerising check pattern features alternating rows of small, rect angular blocks. Vibrant colour contrasts serve as conduits for tessellating movement, creating the effect of simple woven structures.
Reflecting on one of the most ancient methods of surface design, Clio exemplifies the art of woodblock printing. Championed by skilled craftsmen at Merton Printworks, this complex and time-consuming process had been integral to Liberty’s print herit age and reput ation for many years. Clio recalls a typical 193 0s ditsy floral pattern, which would have been carefully applied as a paper block impression before transferred onto fabric.
B ased on an Art Nouveau artwork discovered in the Liberty archive, this striking tulip and leaf design embodies the concept of ‘partial repeats’. These handpainted sections are selectively coloured and serve as final previews, juxt aposed against pencil-drawn or ‘unfinished’ sections. In Venus, vibrant stripes boldly embrace the notion of partial colour blocking, fashioning an ultramodern aesthetic accentuated by a striking positive-negative shadow effect.
Representing Liberty’s early woodblock years, Nell, Annie & May was based on a hand-printed paper impression discovered in the Liberty archive. It showcases a flowering meadow adorned with outlined roses, primroses, carnations, bluebells, daisies, and anemones. A quintessential Liberty bot anical, the design’s subtle shadow marks recall the slight imperfections of the original block print tests.
T A N A L A W N T M C O T T O N : M Y R T L E & M A R Y
Inspired by a Dutch-style floral painting from the Liberty archive dating back to 1926, this breatht aking bot anical t akes cues from the technical aspects of textile design. Amongst a luscious profusion of tulips, roses, primroses, carnations, daffodils, and irises, visible grid marks can be distinguished, while vibrant polk a dots serve as guides, corresponding to the separation of colours.
In Maksimus, a stunning display of textured colour steals the spotlight, forming an eye-catching geometric arrangement. Composed of contrasting and complement ary shades, these rect angular blocks were once used as paint chips in archival artworks. Typically, these hand-painted blocks were delicately applied around the paper ’s edges, serving as reference s amples or miniature colour palettes.
Inspired by an archive design originally printed in 1977, Ees aa is a refreshingly bohemian paisley, piecing together a variety of processes that pay tribute to the brand’s legacy Intersecting stripes evoke the structure of woven ribbons, while traditional paisley motifs hark back to the exquisite block-printed Kashmir shawls of the Liberty emporium.
Carefully engineered into a check pattern by the design studio, this herit age patchwork originates from a collection of hand-painted artworks found within the Liberty archive. B ot anical illustrations of chrys anthemums, roses, tulips, daisies, peonies, and clematis flowers elegantly peek through a transparent grid, while interplays of light and shadow infuse the design with a modern yet timeless allure.
In homage to the pinnacle of textile design craftsmanship, Millie Francesca embodies the essence of the Arts & Crafts movement, a hallmark of Liberty’s early history. Adapted from a hand-painted archival artwork, it blossoms into a trailing bot anical motif, featuring stylized poppies and scattered berries set against a lush backdrop of intertwining, scrolling foliage.
T A N A L A W N T M C O T T O N : M I D N I G H T C A N O P Y
Distinguished by a rhythmic cartouche of scrolling acanthus leaves, this richly hued bot anical pays homage to one of Archibald Knox’s earliest textile designs for the Silver Studio, dating back to around 18 97. Hand-drawn on dark paper with soft chalk pastels, Midnight Canopy exhibits an almost ethereal quality The intense jewel tones contrast beautifully against the dark background, enhancing the artwork’s contours with a radiant glow
Exploring one of Liberty’s most esteemed artistic mediums of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Needlepoint was based on the elegant linework of an 18 85 Liberty embroidery kit panel. Depicted through painted stitch marks, it transcends its original form to reinvent the flowers of our multi-generational design icon, Columbia Road. Arranged as a simple repeat, its gracefully poised floral sprigs turn the focus on technique.
Created in the Liberty studio using delicate ink and watercolour washes, S andra Spring t akes inspiration from an archival fabric fragment dating back to 193 8. Envisioning how the original 193 0s florals might have been painted at the time, this enchanting meadow features scarlet pimpernels, marigolds, mallows, wood anemones, periwinkles and bluebells amongst a plethora of other joyful blooms.
Looking back to Liberty’s 18 87 childrenswear department and the enduring charm of smocked dresses from that era, this unusual pattern is a fresh t ake on our beloved classic, Elysian. Delicate diamond-shaped stitches create a series of textured pleats and folds, creating the illusion of a beautifully nost algic floral fabric gathered into a garment.
This design presents a wonderfully curated assortment of herit age Liberty memorabilia, researched from a vast collection of hand-drawn artifacts dating back to the 18 9 0s. Spanning from Archibald Knox’s iconic silver and pewterware to Art Nouveau jewellery, glazed ceramics, carved wooden panels and exquisite Clutha glass vases, each distinct object beckons us to admire its inherent beauty, ponder the creative process, and delve into the intricate design st ages that brought it to life.
Jewelled Peacock was inspired by a pendant design discovered in a book of Liberty jewellery illustrations originating from the turn of the 20th century Featuring a simplified rendition of a peacock feather motif, the pencil-drawn sketch was reimagined with richly textured, acrylic paint. Flowing both vertically and horizont ally across the fabric, this graphic pattern is imbued with a sense of alternating movement.
Sitting at the crossroads between old and new, Floral Frieze pays homage to the Arts & Crafts furniture sold by Liberty during the early 19 00s. Using the traditional woodworking technique of marquetry as inspiration, the design studio has crafted this bold, large-scale floral pattern, echoing the refinement of inlay motifs. Silhouettes of cut and collaged tulip shapes intersect, lending an intriguing illusion of flat three-dimensionality
Hand-painted in the Liberty studio, Joan tells a poignant story of collaboration across generations. This Arts & Crafts style convers ational is a modern iteration of Walter Crane’s timeless ‘The Four Seasons’ textile pattern. Looking through four vignettes framed by trailing ivy, each floral scene symbolises a distinct season, teeming with nature’s wonders. Amidst delicate roses, bluebells, tulips, daisies and irises, one discovers a lively cast of characters: peacocks, butterflies, swans, hares, frogs, bees, and deer
This enchanting design finds its inspiration in the artfully carved wooden animals that have graced the halls of the Liberty Tudor store since 1924. Lions, elephants, monkeys, owls and pelicans coexist within a magical jungle of scrolling foliage and ethereal flowers. Created in the studio with hand-painted inky washes of gouache and coloured pencils, Valerie also references Walter Crane’s vivid Arts & Crafts book illustrations.
Characterised by its eclectic mix of motifs and design styles, Enzo Antonio t akes cues from the creative oeuvre of Arts & Crafts luminary Lewis Foreman Day With a strong focus on decoration, its imaginative flowers and prominent foliage become vehicles of graphic experiment ation, incorporating hand-drawn linework adorned with a myriad layered det ails.
Forging subtle connections between past and present, vibrant blooms gracefully traverse the fabric in this dramatic bot anical trail. Reminiscent of a Liberty textile pattern created by designer John Scarratt Rigby in 18 97, Judy Jane follows traditional Art Nouveau principles rendered for the modern day. Stylized flowers are set against a backdrop of sinuous, intertwined swirls, evoking a timeless aesthetic with a geometric twist.
Taking inspiration from a 19 0 4 Liberty pattern, this lively convers ational also channels the stylized natural forms often seen in C FA Voysey’s design work. Reflecting Voysey’s signature style, it features simplified birds and plants set against dark grounds, creating a tessellating rhythm. With an emphasis on bold outlines and minimal det ail, Huckle embodies Voysey’s principle of ‘simplicity in decoration’, perfectly capturing the essence of his artistic vision.
This tiled pattern of mirrored Art Nouveau flowers was hand-drawn in the Liberty studio and guided by the philosophy of prolific designer and theorist Christopher Dresser. Rooted in Dresser ’s influential 18 62 book ‘The Art of Decorative Design’, Macsen is an elegant embrace of nature’s fundament al principles- symmetry, order, growth, repetition, and alteration.
Inspired by the effortless simplicity of design Macsen, Marlow is an Art Nouveau style coordinate print, which incorporates a diverse medley of hand-painted, directional blooms. Crafted with balance, poise and symmetry in mind, this sophisticated bot anical t apestry reflects the timeless beauty rooted in Christopher Dresser ’s theory of design.
Tracing parallels between Liberty’s jewellery and textile design herit age, Daisy’s B allet t aps into the multifaceted legacy of artist Jessie M. King. Painted in the studio using gouache on black paper, this glamorous garden sparkles with budding flowers and delicate chains of white gems. Daisies, violets, anemones and pearls t ake the spotlight, their jewel-like hues accentuated against richly dark backdrops.
Anne pays homage to Winifred Mold, a t alented textile designer of the early 20th century. Mold’s designs for The Silver Studio were among those that contributed to Liberty’s extensive textile collections over the years, and this joyous floral reflects on the iconic patterns of the 193 0s that came to define Liberty’s distinctive style. Scattered bunches of daisies, primroses, and bluebells were drawn with characteristic broken outlines and harmoniously hued in block-coloured tones.
Lynda
Taking inspiration from Sonia Delaunay’s geometric art and dynamic use of colour, Drake ventures into a world of k aleidoscopic shapes and tonal relationships. Hand-painted in the Liberty studio using fluid watercolours, this tiled collage is infused with nuances of depth and soft textures. A clever synergy of lines, blocks, triangles, and curves breathes life into the design, creating an avant-garde aesthetic.
Josie exudes a sleek mid-century aesthetic, using the hand-crafted technique of monoprinting. Rolled ink yields an array of unpredict able marks, giving rise to a varied spectrum of textures and viscosities. Cut and collaged onto paper, its tulip-shaped flowers are complemented by oil pastel det ails and layers of digit al colour, blurring the lines between geometry and abstraction. This one-of-a-kind pattern serves as an ode to acclaimed artist Lucienne Day and her famously graphic floral forms.
A riotous unleashing of creative energy, Louie’s Meadow was inspired by the whimsy of Raoul Dufy’s legendary artworks. Hand-painted from life using loosely applied brush pens and gouache, its dancing poppies and daisies were engineered into a large-scale repeat for an impactful burst of colour With floral shapes painted first and outlines added last, the design serves as a poetic analogy to the traditional screen-printing technique through which it comes to life.
Darley Hillside is a beautiful continuation of the legacy of legendary Trinidadian designer, Althea McNish. This richly expressive forest landscape draws inspiration from her impressionistic approach to painting, and her layering of impasto-like, abstract compositions. Hand-painted on dark grounds using chalk pastels and marker pens, its vividly infused shades spring to life, illuminated through a fant astic use of light and texture.
Drawing from the inspirational work of leading British textile studio, Collier Campbell, this timeless pattern revisits the fundament al principles of design by showcasing how a basic check can evolve into a more complex structure. Much like building blocks with infinite possibilities, intersecting diagonals form the foundation upon which alternating geometric shapes are arranged, inviting the eye to wander in all directions across the fabric.
Averie bursts forth with joyous spont aneity, alive with expressive bohemian blooms and vibrant pops of colour. Hand-painted in gouache, the stylized silhouettes of daisies, forgetme-nots and cosmos flowers blend seamlessly with decorative stripes. This skilful layering of pattern is reminiscent of the innovative Liberty florals created by distinguished design duo Collier Campbell during the 1970s. Celebrated for their eclectic and gestural style, Collier Campbell reshaped the textile design landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the era.
This print is influenced by the style of an outsider artist I have invented for my exhibition Delusions of Grandeur at the Wallace collection. As a homeless teenager in the 19 6 0’s Shirley Smith was found emaciated and delusional wandering through the rooms of the Wallace Collection. In and out of institutions until she was thirty years old Shirley became obsessed with the Wallace Collection and made art about it all her life. This print features a crude version of Hertford house where the collection resides and also cats which were another passion of Shirley’s.
Travelling back to the late 1870s when Thomas Wardle provided Liberty with their first ever printed fabrics, Dramatic Bloom honours the beginning of the brand s textile journey. Discovered as fabric fragments in the archive, these pieces were meticulously assembled and redrawn by the design studio. Inspired by Indian wood blocks, this monochrome floral is in const ant shift, giving rise to a mesmerising canvas of bold, stylised blooms amongst swirling foliage.
In a wonderful fusion of influences, this glorious pattern brings together two signature styles that have defined Liberty’s artistic identity since the 188 0s. A nod to the Aesthetic movement and Japanese design prevalent at the time, our iconic Hera has been juxt aposed with Hana, a beautiful pattern from the early 19 00s. Brimming with refined decadence, Hera’s exquisitely intricate peacock feathers are complemented by a sophisticated layer of sweeping poppies and scattered blossom.
Considered one of Scandinavia’s finest ex amples of Arts and Crafts style properties, Tjoloholm Castle on Sweden’s Kattegat coast, boasts one of the most sizable collections of Liberty furnishings and furniture from the late 19th century. Rediscovering its stunning interiors, the design team was inspired to revive a wallpaper pattern which was originally created around 18 91. Richly textured to resemble a woven t apestry, this herit age floral features ik at-style bellflowers and snowdrops, celebrating Liberty’s evolution into a lifestyle store.
B ot anical Knot transports us back to Liberty’s 19 00s needlework department, which sold many designs in the style of multi-t alented Arts and Crafts luminary, May Morris. Inspired by her distinctive aesthetic, this bot anical trellis was hand-painted in gouache and delicately overlaid with pencil marks, echoing the intricacy of her embroidery stitching. Its flowers and foliage entwine through a lattice of interlocking knots, further honouring Morris’s work, which often featured Celtic-influenced knotwork motifs.
Recognised for her significant contribution to the Arts and Crafts movement, May Morris was the inspiration behind this highly refined, trailing floral design. Hand-painted in the Liberty studio, Zara Thanrose features an array of blooming flowers including peonies, lilies, and cornflowers, cascading amidst dense meandering leafy trails and charming accents of rosehip berries.
An explosive medley of Liberty poppies unveils layers of our colourful bot anical history The combination of Poppy & Daisy, boasting a nost algic floral charm, alongside Clementina, an embodiment of Art Nouveau elegance, highlights the timeless vers atility of this beloved flower and its adapt ability across diverse aesthetic genres. In a fant astical meadow pattern, two iconic Liberty classics collide, demonstrating bold scale variations and an ingenious clash of styles.
This dense meadow of jonquils was inspired by the spect acular opera cloaks created by Liberty during the glamorous era of the 1920s. These artistic yet fashionable garments often incorporated woven brocades, sumptuous printed silks, and richly hued velvets. Discovered in a Liberty pattern book from the s ame decade, the design studio has reimagined a velvet fabric remnant into a digit al print, maint aining the original abstract textures.
Presenting a fresh t ake on the enduringly adorable classic Betsy, this celebratory makeover infuses Liberty’s quintessential 193 0s floral style with a modern twist. Emulating the effect of copperplate printing, Betsy’s charming blooms transform into a series of tiny dots and speckles, casting an almost transparent, pointillist veil. Soft, delicate, and romantic, the design ret ains the essence of the original while embracing a spirit of innovation.
Havinden Tudor pays tribute to Ashley Havinden, who was t asked with creating a modern brand identity for Liberty after the end of the Second World War Drawing inspiration from one of his 194 0s Christmas cat alogue covers, the design studio has reimagined the distinctive Tudor building into a herit age geometric. Wooden beams, windows, and arches are depicted by overlapping transparent shadows, while intriguing linocut textures evoke Havinden’s illustrative graphic style.
Following the rise of mid-century Modernism, Liberty looked to the future and contributed to significant shifts in avant-garde design. Meteor is the epitome of this optimistic era and was based on a Liberty fabric dating from 195 6. Its sleek, angular, and futuristic forms create eye-catching geometric st ars, reflecting the widespread fascination with space exploration and technological advancements at the time.
Taking cues from the stylistic attributes of the 196 0s Art Nouveau revival era, Prospect Flower was hand-painted in the design studio and reflects some of the motifs found in Bernard Nevill’s ever-popular Prospect Road pattern. Infused with vibrant retro vibes, its prominent pet als were drawn with bold outlines and filled with flat colour, det ailed curves, stripes, scribbles, and dashes.
Created by the prolific design duo Sus an Collier and S arah Campbell in 1974, Cott age Garden is a celebration of the sisters’ contribution to design within the British textile industry. Inspired by a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, Cott age Garden unfolds as a vibrant t apestry of summer blooms. Featuring roses, daisies, fuchsias, bluebells, and morning glory, this hand-painted, richly hued bot anical was originally printed for Liberty furnishing fabrics from 1977 to the 199 0s. Now on display at the Victoria and Albert museum library the artwork has been revived exclusively for our AW25 annivers ary collection.
In 19 83, Liberty showcased its avant-garde spirit by hosting an exhibition of the radical design group, Memphis Milano. Inspired by the group’s hallmarks of playful, sculptural forms and optical, clashing patterns, Memphis Style st ands out as a visually arresting design brimming with dazzling vit ality. Spherical daisies cast soft overlapping shadows, while graphic cutouts dance amidst contrasting stripes, captivating the eye with a riot of illusory geometries.
In the early 199 0s, Liberty achieved a significant milestone with the est ablishment of its Japan office and design studio in Tokyo, forging a poignant link to its past. To commemorate this enduring connection, an artwork was chosen from the archive, shaped by a long-st anding admiration for Asian-inspired decorative art and design. Richly rendered in deep, inky hues, Herit age Garden features hidden fruits amongst beautifully stylized chrys anthemums, peonies, and, of course, Japanese blossom flowers.
English Bloom offers a glimpse into the creative mind of Emma Mawston, former Head of Design at Liberty Fabrics, whose unwavering artistic passion defined the Liberty print aesthetic of the 2000s. Lovingly revived, her 2012 English Field pattern now appears as a low-colour version, brilliantly capturing her signature style of hand-drawn, intricate florals. The design showcases dramatic large-scale daisies, sunflowers, roses, chrys anthemums, poppies, tulips, and dahlias, each delicately outlined to unveil a rich bot anical t apestry
Iphis, a modern interpret ation of our iconic classic Ianthe, was the inspiration behind this perfectly composed, structured bot anical. The dynamic monogram which became synonymous with the Liberty brand now makes a modern comeback, to mark more than ten years of product design and innovation. Like the violets that possibly inspired its name, Ianthe reflowers for each new generation, seamlessly merging contemporary aesthetics with Liberty’s rich Art Nouveau herit age.
Creating more than 3 00 prints spanning over 27 years, Pippa’s Symphony celebrates the exceptional artistic prowess of Polly Mason, the driving force behind Liberty Fabric’s design studio. An intrinsic response to an orchestra’s musical crescendos, this enchanting bot anical is a rescaled version of Symphony, a design originally hand-painted in 2016. Enveloped in Polly’s signature style, fant astical trails of Alpine flowers such as pink campion, columbine, rock jasmine, and edelweiss captivate the eye with graceful rhythm.
