Liberty

Navigating my way around the west end was quite easy because I'm very familiar with the area but for someone who may not know the area it would be quite easy to get around because the main streets are connected and there are street maps every few meters to help you along your way.

From Browns Focus I made my way to Liberty on Great Marlborough street off of Regent Street. Now there can be no way of not finding it, once you get to Great Marlborough Street you may find yourself blinking through the camera flashes of giddy tourists as they snap away at the spectacular building that is Liberty. A great Tudor Style building, timber framed with its glittering window displays and warm glow pouring from its entrance.

The window displays followed a kind of fairy tale theme with frog props on top of hundreds of bubble encased gifts against a glittery backdrop, suspended Jellyfish lights, caterpillar dolls and tables laden with tea sets and cakes.

Some windows had more fashion focused displays with Mulberry Handbags and accessories or mannequins in relaxed poses wearing elaborate hairstyles and pieces from an Autumn winter collection surrounded by gifts and glittering tree branches.

The main entrance is the Flower shop, sunflowers, begonias, freesias and more and their mingled scents greet you on your way in. the first room you come into is the scarf room, filled with liberty print handkerchiefs in shades of plum and green, Alexander McQueen skull scarves and Christopher Kane star print scarves. the lighting is warm and all around the walls floor and ceiling is of a deep golden brown wood which the light glows on adding to the warmth. i made my way to the beauty department which is through the accessories department, here the room had pale cream walls with  plinths for each brand of product neatly displayed with sales assistants and makeup artists at each one.There was a small corner for Essie Nail polish in every colour imaginable for £9 when you come from the nail section you notice Laura Mercier's makeup stand with open palettes to try out and leaflets on products,pricing and deals.Towards the back of the room is the Kiehls section. with baskets of lotions and shelf units with facial scrubs,washes,shampoos and conditioners. Kiehls is known for its simple old fashioned packaging and here it is merchandised in a very simple manner so the customer can read the product labels easily and pick out what they want. A very sales assistant offered me some samples of body cream and washes and wished me a good day on my way out which I found very nice. From the Beauty section i made my way to one of my favourite sections the Accessories department. Handbags, Sunglasses,Bracelets,wallets,and gloves were on shelves and around the main counter point of sale. within this department could also be found  orange and grey pocket travel books placed alphabetically on a large white shelf unit, and also a section for chocolates sweets and a vast array of cards. This section showcased a large mint green and orange Welsh dresser with speciality hot chocolate and mugs displayed on it. Walking out of this section you come to the Mulberry Bag collection with the bags and purses placed on glass shelves and units, they are security tagged with some form of attachment to the wall. They are priced between £400-£800 with the trademark Bayswater bag in golden tan leather for £650 and the Alexa hand bag at £750 for the small and £895 for the over sized one. The leather is smooth and string with strong stitching and a tough feel like it will last for years.

Mulberry Bayswater bag

From the accessories department i made my way back through the scarf section and came to the jewellery department. this space had brighter lighting and i noticed that the ceiling had wooden beams. in the middle of the floor was a large white counter with glass top which housed fine and very expensive jewelery . This counter was also the point of sale. Although this space was for jewellery it also had Alexander McQueens ornate skull clutches and Miu Miu's Autumn winter handbag collection.

quick sketch of McQueen clutch

From here you could make your way to the upper floors via the lift or the staircase. I opted for the staircase which was of hard brown polished wood and as I went up I noticed that the walls of the staircase featured carved out patterns and I saw a war memorial as I came to the contemporary women's wear floor.

sketch of room layout

this floor had warm lighting with the dark polished wood throughout but also cream sections which allowed the clothes to stand out more, clothing rails were placed around the perimeter of the floor with some in the middle and the centre of the floor dedicated to mannequin displays. In some corners I found sofas and armchairs near the windows. Looking through the collections on offer I stopped at the Michael Van Der Ham rail.

Michael Van Der Ham

The rails were black with the designers name on a sign on the top of the rail. I had read about this designer and now being able to see the collection first hand was quite interesting. The collection featured patch worked dresses and skirts using silk, wool and liberty prints. The overall effect was quite nice due to the lovely textures, but i was surprised at the finishing on some which was hand done but not neatly.

Another collection I looked at was by Peter Pilotto

Peter Pilotto

This collection featured silk digital prints on mini dresses and skirts. The fabric was soft and smooth and the seams were neat with very neat hand finishing on the hems. the hangers were black and velvet like, there was just the right amount of garments on the rail and I noticed that the brighter garments were on one end of the rail whilst the darker ones were at the other end with a few in the middle.
 From the Peter Pilotto Rail I walked to the other side of the floor where a large space had been made for the Stella McCartney collection. This section had the Stella McCartney logo on a velvet wall in twinkling lights. There was soft beige carpet with three rails of clothing placed on its perimeter  creating a room like feeling.
I took the lift up to the 2nd floor, the lifts are small with mirrors at the back and wooden walls. Once out i walked around looking at the collections. The 2nd floor is built with a large opening in the middle like a balcony so you can see the floor below

2nd floor with balcony overlooking 1st floor

This floor has smaller sections and more designers, such as Alexander Wang and Emma Cook. I was really impressed with Emma cooks collection which was comprised of digital print leotards, dresses and t-shirts.The prints were beautiful with one black leotard having a river and owls flying from it into the clouds printed on it

quick sketch of Emma Cook printed leotard £165




Another Label that interested me was one that I hadn't heard of before called Stolen Girlfriends club which featured thick grey sweaters with black tassels for £250 and t-shirts, some of the items were on sale with one t-shirt reduced from £120 to £65

On this floor you could also find the Cafe or dining area. I went in being hungry and curious to see what i could eat. As i was with a friend i asked for a table for 2. The room had red and white liberty print fabric wall paper on one side and cushioned seating with the other side having normal dining chairs. The staff were attentive and polite and within minutes we were eating a lovely butter-nut squash soup with bread and pesto. I  can honestly say that that was one of the best soups I had ever had.

Yummy

I noticed that at the front of the dining are was a glass counter with wines and champagnes, and every so often the chef ( a pleasant man) would walk around asking customers how the food was and if we were okay. After this we ordered some Hot chocolate

Our stomachs satisfied we headed to the Body & Bath department 

This department was filled with soaps, lotions and potions fragrances and bath oils.

 There were pine display cabinets and dressers with with perfumes and scented oils 

different scented soaps on pine table

and pine oval tables piled with different scented soaps such as carrot, lavender, pomegranate and lemon. 

One brand of soap called by Nesti Dante called Horto Botanico really caught my eye.

Carot soap- Horto Botanico Nesti Dante

This brand used real active ingredients of vegetables.

Another soap by the same brand was called Chic Animalier, I was drawn to it because of its boudoir style packaging, it smelt beautiful with Patchouli and myrhh and was priced at £4.95

Another feature in this department was the glass tables for the more clinical style products such as Acqua Di Parma Perfumes and oils.

After this i felt i had seen enough to go on. Having been here before each time I go I appreciate it more and more, it feels special at Liberty, there is tradition and modernity and there is something for everyone, from the smallest keyring to the most elaborate finely crafted jewellery. everything fits and works together fluidly. its an inviting department store, with a homely feel which always calls you back.