Lucky Lips Genie Lady licks her lips at our Moorcroft pottery in our Quilty Pleasures windows

A finger lickin' good quilt by Amanda Fatherazi

What number does a girl dial for? Quilt window by Amanda Fatherazi

How “finger licking good” are our Quilty Pleasures windows! Our VM team comissioned a selection of textile artists namely Amanda Fatherazi (of Best of British fame), embroideress Lou Gardiner and quilt maker extraordinaire Karen Nicol to bring the medium to risque new heights and to be as far removed from patchworks fuddy duddy nature. Inspiration was drawn from provocative 1960s film posters and believe me Quilts have never been this sexy. I love Amanda Fatherazi’s (Joanie from Mad Men style quilt) What number does a girl dial for? And Lou Gardiner’s Lucky Lips Genie Lady with licking lips eyeing up our Moorcroft pottery! Come on down to Great Marlborough Street to see them now. Tongues are wagging around the neighbourhood!

More Quilty Pleasures fun next week with interview with the Quilt artists!

PS These quilts are available to buy and ready for your bed from 12th April if you would like to purchase or would like any more info contact nhaigh@liberty.co.uk

‘Hot Lunch’ by Amanda Fatherazi £2995, The Divorcee by Karen Nicol £2995, The Marriage Manual by Karen Nicol £1995, Male Service by Amanda Fatherazi £2499, ‘I Want You’ by Louise Gardiner £4995.

An eiderdown your Gran most certainly didn't have and the dress of the spring from Christopher Kane

Get your pencils ready quilters here is the line up of Quilty Pleasure events happening at Liberty this spring…

1. Quilty Pleasures- The season of quilts at Liberty extends through the store with a selection of amazing examples draped from our atriums with Katherine May’s Barbie and Action man quilts and her Liberty Charity quilt  amongst others all ready to peruse from today (18th March) until 12th April.

2. Quilty Pleasure windows- Quilts at Liberty are not as you know them. We’ve comissioned  textile artists Amanda Fatherazi (Of Best of British fame) and Lou Gardiner to turn the humble quilt into an exciting portal for the voyeur. Come gaze through our windows on Great Marlborough Street from today and  all will be revealed!

3. Haberdashery- Is quilt heaven with a library of interesting books on the topic (especially Sue Prichard’s new book Quilt 1700-2010)  bundles of patchwork fabrics, threads and accessories to create your own masterpiece.

4. Selvedge- A quilting talk with  Becky Oldfield  founder of Lost and Found, a company that marries quilting techniques with vintage fabrics to create original products. Talk will be hosted in store and will be £20 pounds per person and includes a glass of prosecco and savoury snacks. On 8th April from 18.00-20.00pm. Contact customer services on londonstorecustomerservices@liberty.co.uk  for more details and to book.

5. Liberty Charity Quilt- We have comissioned textile artist Katherine May to create a one-off beautiful quilt made with Liberty print fabric and textiles and clothes from members of Liberty staff. This quilt will be auctioned for our charity of choice Variety Club on 6^th April with final bid on the 16^th April. Stay tuned to Ebay to place your bid for this piece of Liberty history.

6.  Quilt Sewing school- As part of our sewing school schedule we are featuring some interesting quilt days in store.

“Home is where the heart is” 27th March with Janet Goddard

“Intermediate Patchwork”  1st May with Janet Goddard

Contact customer services on londonstorecustomerservices@liberty.co.uk  for more details and to book.

Tracy Emin's confessional bed quilt

Coverlet commemorating Wellington 1829

Tracy tells us like it is

The waiters at the V&A resplendant in Liberty print aprons

Liberty blog went undercover last night to check out the Quilt 1700-2010 preview and what a magic night, from Tracy Emin talking about the beauty and value of quilts to Sarah Brown perusing the finest on display with her mother. To top it off all waiters were resplendant in lovely Liberty print aprons. This exhibit is truly beautiful and sheds light on a very feminine art form. It opens this Saturday 20th March, but you can swot up now with the Quilt 1700-2010  book  ready to buy online here.

I’ll leave you with a lovely quilt quote by Tracy Emin

“Making quilts isn’t just a graphic process, wrapped up with the production of sewing. It involves a lot of thought and love. Just the time involved in the process means many things are discussed and considered concerning life.”

We are patchwork crazy at Liberty this week!

A crazy patchwork quilt complied of "Action Man" clothes by textile artist Katherine May...

Make your own patchwork quilt with these patchwork bundles by Darla

We’re feeling a little bit Quilty this week at Liberty. Why you may well ask? Well, patchwork is having a moment right now thanks to an extraordinary new V&A  exhibition which opens this week . We are paying homage to the humble and the not-so-humble quilt in store with some beautiful and treasured examples draping our atriums. Work ranging from textile artists Katherine May (who has also created a Liberty charity patchwork quilt), Amanda Fatherazi (who you may know as one of our Best of British finds and Louise Gardiner (who is creating some very exotic quilts for our windows!) Come in store to indulge in patchwork heaven. We’ve even produced a collection of limited edition patchwork fabrics in association with the V&A to celebrate. Keep your eye on our windows unveiling soon and come back to the blog for interviews with our star quilters. Ya’ll come back now!

Savvy New Yorkers line around the block for Liberty of London for Target

Naomi Watts looking ever so lovely in Liberty of London print

New York is awash in Liberty print! Flowering Liberty for Target billboards are blooming right in the middle of the city- Times Square to be exact! Naomi Watts was centre stage at the press preview to celebrate our explosive new collaboration.  With over 250 media guests including key US editors, bloggers, stylists and freelancers at the preview its no surprise we received an absolutely overwhelming response to Liberty of London for Target– so much so, Target actually had to close the shop early.  Over 11,500 people stopped by the NYC store over two days!  No need to worry though – everyone can find the collection online here now! 

Get a glow with Linda Rodin's exquisite elixir, olio lusso for face, body and lips, only at Liberty

With the first flush of spring upon us we need some serious skin-care action. Our beauty buyer Gina Ritchie adores this new and exclusive to Liberty olio lusso by Rodin, a luxury face and body oil by Linda Rodin, US stylist and beauty entrepreneur. This fragrant skin elixir contains 11 essential botanical oils, and is a cult favorite among make-up artists, models and celebrities. A few drops of this non-greasy oil makes skin glow, and I mean, GLOW!

Stephen rocking that Dries Van Noten scarf snapped by GQ

STOP PRESS! Our menwear buyer Stephen Ayres has been featured this week on The GQ Fashion 100!

Heres what GQ say of our Stephen…

” The menswear floor at London’s landmark store [ Liberty] is widely considered to be small but perfectly formed. Buyer Ayres ensures he regularly introduces new names to the British public, such as Opening Ceremony and Rag & Bone.”

Yasmin in Paris

Blink and you’ll miss her Yasmin, our Creative Consultant caught on camera zipping around Paris finding more beautiful things for Liberty’s hallowed halls. Photo by Scott Schumann aka The Sartorialist! You can follow more of Yasmin’s adventures right here on Liberty blog so stay tuned and she is also blogging on Vogue.com  She is one busy fashion girl!

The time has come my friends, to talk of Target things, that’s Target for Liberty of London. An exclusive new collaboration with American retail aficionados, this collection spans so many categories our heads are spinning. The best of the best is online this Friday and in store the 29^th of March. We’ve got quite a line–up of Target treats, from mad-hatter tea-pots and pretty cake-stands, Liberty print bicycles and piggy-banks not to mention picture-frames, cushions, dresses and flip-flops all blossoming in the zaniest Liberty flora-and-fauna prints. As the Target for Liberty of London campaign goes Boldly patterned…brilliantly priced. Yes siree it is indeed so get in line or online this Fri!

Liberty gets some special Merci treatment...

Merci, votre amitie!

Merci- the fabulous Parisian concept store has taken over a beautiful corner of Liberty with stunning results. I had petite dejeuner (mini crossants and a bowl of hot chocolate) with the with extraordinary Marie France Cohen (Creative Director of  Merci) this morning and zut alors this lady is chic, chic, chic. Here’s our chat…

 RG: What do you love most about Liberty style?

MFC: Liberty is a dream name and is so close to English style. I like the eccentricty of the English and how you are never afraid to be different. What’s fun about this collaboration is that we have not used Liberty in an old-fashioned way but in a quite trendy, cool, French way. English eccentricity- French taste!

RG: Tell me more about that famous Merci Fiat that graces the courtyard of your Paris store?

MFC: I love our Fiat it’s an idea that formed when I saw a picture by a photographer Soldad- I love storytelling within things, this car its our symbol- its fun, its French and changing all the time…at the moment it is covered in Liberty print.

RG: That’s fun…whats your favourite piece from our Liberty et Merci collection?

MFC: The little medal finished with pretty Liberty fabric, I can see everyone wearing this, its a top favourite with the girls in the store in Paris.

RG: How cute…I’m coming on the next Eurostar to visit!

The incredible Marie France Cohen at our Merci/Liberty dejeuner this morning

Here is our lovely Liberty doll Jo modelling the delightful Merci suitcase blossoming with the most distinctive floral print in the world!  Merci et Liberty bursts into bloom this Monday, so watch out for Liberty et Merci bikinis, dresses, playsuits (for women and little girls) homeware, stationery, fabric and furniture! Roll on Merci Monday…

Take a sneak peek at some of our most coveted Merci/Liberty products…

There’s something about Paris – achingly chic girls skipping around in APC, Isabel Marant and Maje, great wine, great food, great stores…

Merci is Paris’ most beautiful concept store, opened just last year in the chic area of the Marais. All profits from sales are donated to a charitable foundation set up by the store’s owners to benefit the women and children of Madagascar – where much of the product is made.

Liberty has joined forces with the very chic Merci to create a swap shop that will capture the essence of Liberty through an exclusive, limited edition collection of products designed by Merci Creative Director Marie France Cohen.

For all of those stuck in London – fear not! Liberty will be offering a slice of Parisian life this side of the Channel, by swapping shops with Merci in Paris. All Merci products above and more surprises will be available online and in store from 8th March. Elbows at the ready!

Here’s our top three Merci favourites

1. MUGS – perfect for sipping chocolat chaud.

2. MEDALS – the chicest of friendship bracelets

3.VANITY CASE – cram it with make up and fragrances…

Watch this space for our Twitter updates and some snaps from the Paris launch tonight…

Patchwork heaven... V&A and Liberty team up to create patchwork fabrics

We popped down to our Liberty fabric studio  on Edgware Road this afternoon to delve into our vast and beautiful print collection and oh what a patchwork dream. With an archive thats almost 135 years old it is a visual feast for the eyes, see image above of a fabric lined wall in our studio.

Patchworkers take note to celebrate the Quilts 1700-2010 exhibition at the V&A Museum, Liberty Art Fabrics and the V&A Shop have collaborated on a limited edition collection of printed cottons featuring designs from quilts in the V&A’s collections.

Perfect for quilting, dressmaking and patchwork as well as curtains, cushion covers, tablecloths and many other craft projects. All fabrics are 100% cotton and sold by the metre.”Go patchworkers go”. It’s online now

The prettiest packages from Merci landed on my desk this morning all wrapped up with newsprint and coloured raffia ribbon, see whats inside below…

Sneak Peek Merci meets Liberty! Pretty little girls dress coming online soon!

Can't wait for Merci meets Liberty- it's online 8th March- that's next Monday!

Merci meets Liberty this spring! What happenes when you  mix Paris’ most beautiful concept store with London’s most beautiful destination store? A stunning collection of  limited edition Liberty print product designed by Marie France Cohen. The collection will include fashion for men, women and children (see above) and also homewares, stationary and soft furnishings. Its a little bit Liberty, its a little bit French and its coming online next Monday 8th March. Stay tuned folks this is a collab to remember…

I see a Mystic Eye tee by Acne in your future...

Refract the fashion lens with these fab little tees by Acne. Just pop it on with your favourite denims or high waist shorts and sail magnificently into the S/S10 mystic…

Moonlighting in Acne

Yasmin Sewell Courtesy of  The Sartorialist

Just back from a super duper S/S10  Liberty trend chat with Yasmin Sewell… amongst her words of fashion wisdom she has hailed the Givenchy Pandora bag  THE bag-of-the-moment. Sling this sexy distressed leather one down your arm for true Sewell cool.

Pandora bag from Givenchy

I spy with my little eye a boy in Trainspotter Liberty print

How to make a Trainerspotter Liberty print jacket?

The cult brand Trainerspotter have hooked up with yours truly to create the coolest Windjammer jacket on the block…

How did the brand begin?
Trainerspotter began as side project between two friends, a creative outlet for their love of vintage sneakers. Inspired by Trainerspotter heroes such as Steve Prefontaine, Jeff Johnson, Geoff Hollister and Rudi Dassler, the initial aim of the brand was to tell the stories behind sneaker culture that nobody had heard before.

You’re inspired by vintage sportswear – are there any new brands you admire?
There are a few brands we are currently coveting like Buzz Rickson, Rocky Mountain, Suger Cane, Whitesville and Gourmet.

Do you have a favourite piece from your range?
The Windjammer of course! In 2003 Trainerspotter reinvented the iconic 1980’s Windjammer jacket with a literal interpretation of sport meets fashion. By juxtaposing the lightweight waterproof nylon against floral Liberty print fabric we created a true sports fashion garment.

What is exciting about London now?
There is a real buzz right now for Heritage inspired clothing, boys are growing up in their look and adopting a new traditionally influenced style. This fits well for Trainerspotter, especially regarding the Windjammer we have produced for Liberty.

What do you love about Liberty?
Our love for Liberty is born out of the store’s heritage and that from the outset Liberty has always encouraged English designers from fashion and the arts and craft. Plus there can be no doubt that Liberty is one of the most luxurious and beautiful boutique department stores to visit, a true destination in London. There aren’t many stores who can boast a Tudor building made from the timbers of 2 famous British gunships, the HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan!!

Michael Van Der Ham & our Creative Consultant Yasmin Sewell backstage at his LFW autumn/winter 2010

Anna Wintour, US Vogue, Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, Liberty and Carla Sozzani, 10 Corso Como

Carla frenzy reached fever pitch last night at our 10 Corso Como/LFW party where the legendary Anna Wintour  stopped by in a showstopping  cover-up for a tour of the hot collaboration. We love this pic of our CEO Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye  with fashion’s most illustrious leading ladies on his arm!

More pics from the party…

DJ Farah rocking a Liberty print shirt and rocking some tunes at last nights party

10 Corso Como installation in store

Jewellery designer Lucy Hutchings at our 10 Corso Como party

Liberty Head of Fashion Alex Stylianidis and Creative Consultant Yasmin Sewell

The Kris Ruhs installation in the central atrium to celebrate Liberty of London & 10 Corso Como

In honour of our big 10 Corso Como bash tomorrow Kris Ruhs, creator of the Liberty of London and 10 Corso Como print has also turned his hand to an extraordinary installation in store- a halo of concentric circles now christens our central atrium. Come in store to take a look…

Loving that Liberty print- Michael Van Der Ham A/W 2010

A Michael Van Der Ham line-up for autumn/winter 2010

We love Michael Van Der Ham- the ultimate collage boy! His autumn/winter 2010 was a mixed media dream with flashes of  chiffon, florals and our  rosebud scattered Liberty print. PRE-TTY!

The very first issue of Glass Magazine online now

A Glass reveller

A Glass reveller

A Glass reveller

We had a blast raising our glasses to Glass magazine…and psst its online now!

Candy & Swash scarves, she's the chicest pooch on the block

Up, up and away! A swashbuckling installation of Swash scarves at Liberty

We popped down this afternoon to check out the all new installation of Swash scarves in, you’ve guessed it, our scarf room! The Swash design duo Sarah Swash and Toshio Yamanaka have the most gorgoeus pooch Candy who is the Swash muse and model (see above)  I had a chat with Candy the dog to get the low-down on scarves, modeling and sleeping in Liberty!

Candy, what would be your top tip for wearing a Swash scarf?

I have my very own mini Swash scarf which I tie at my neck- for you humans I’d say the bigger the better.

Favourite corner of Liberty?

The scarf room is great for a snooze and I had a pad around the flower entrance which is doggy heaven…

Favourite dog model?

It’s gotta to be Lassie, she’s a cute mutt!

Candy’s Liberty recommendations…

Cute pooch lamp by SKK Lighting!

Paul Smith's Union Jack dogs

What does it feel like to be loved by AnOther! Pretty fantastic actually! The folks over at AnOther mag have added a fun addition to their website- AnOther Loves. This is a unique shopping recommendation service handpicked for you by AnOther’s global network of contributors. And this London Fashion Week AnOther loves Liberty.

Here’s a few Liberty favourites that AnOther’s fashion editors adore right now. See all of AnOther Loves here…

AnOther loves Annina Vogel at Liberty (available in store)

AnOther loves Liberty print friendship bracelets

AnOther loves this "What Katie Did" bullet bra at Liberty

AnOther loves Acne at Liberty

Heart of Glass...

To kick of the London Fashion Week festivities we are celebrating a gloriously glossy new mag Glass this Friday at Liberty with a gloriously champagne fueled launch and what’s more its available to buy online now…

Spotted Alexander Wang sporting his new season velvet rucksack!

Our buying team are busy flitting around a very blizzardy New York Fashion Week as we speak! How cool is this pic they took of Alexander Wang sporting his new season velvet rucksack? Velvet, my friends, is an ever growing autumn/winter 2010 trend and Alexander will be an all new addition to the Liberty family-so watch this space! We snapped him modelling his rucksack while he was showing us through his new collection. We love!

For McQueen and Country, Alexander McQueen 1969-2010

Carla Sozzani of 10 Corso Como

Sketch of Carla Sozzani by Gladys Perint Palmer courtesy of Carla Sozzani

It’s Carla fever at Liberty right now with preparations for her party in store next week underway. We are celebrating this exclusive collaboration with a glittering soirée and  I caught up with her to find out her thoughts on style, scarves and English eccentrics…

We love 10 Corso Como tell us how it all began?

My background was as a fashion editor with the dream of a three-dimensional magazine and so I decided to create a concept store. I started in 1990/91 nearly twenty years ago now.

What in your opinion makes Liberty and 10 Corso Como such a perfect match?

They are both identified by strong graphics and prints.

You have such a distinctive style, who and what influences the way you dress?

I wear only what I love and only what I feel can become part of me.

Italians have always had a love affair with the way the English dress, what do you find so fascinating about British style?

We are attracted by the eccentric freedom, the mix, the colours…

A favourite Liberty/10 Corso Como piece and how you would wear it?

A print is like a piece of jewellery I would wear the  Liberty/10 Corso Como scarves like jewels.

What does Liberty mean to you?

Tradition and fantasy together.

Carla loves this Liberty of London for 10 Corso Como scarf... She says "A print is like a piece of jewellery, I will wear this scarf with its gothic colours as a necklace." Carla Sozzani

We're cover stars! Check out the Liberty of London Pheonix scarf turban

For those of you who didn’t see last Saturday’s Stella magazine here it is. We love how they styled this winsome lady into a cover star with our beautiful Liberty of London Phoenix scarf tied into a turban… boho returns?

My sweet embraceable lipstick from Le Metier de Beaute

Mwaah, mwaah, mwaah darling! Pucker up those lips for Valentine’s day girls! We have Le Metier de Beaute in store to give us tips on the perfect pout. Come in or book over the phone for your expert from the Le Metier team. These lovely ladies and gentlemen will help you find the perfect colour, glossy finish or matte lipstick to make those lips look the most kissable ever. In store from the 10^th February–14^th February,  if you book in for a make-over you will receive a complimentary mini lip gloss. We say let the kissing commence…

For more info on the perfect pout or to pre-book your appointments, please call us on 020 7734 1234 ext. 2506