Fashion and Textile Museum (London Museum #24)

This was a first visit for me to this museum on Bermondsey Street which is just behind London Bridge Station. This hot pink and orange building certainly stands out as you approach. The Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreto redesigned a converted warehouse in collaboration with Zandra Rhodes, the fashion designer and the Museum was opened in 2003. It is now owned by Newham College who run an academy in the building.

I went to the Museum to see the exhibition 'Liberty in Fashion' Arthur Lasenby Liberty began 140 years ago by supplying fashionable goods from the Far East. The company went on to design their own fabrics and fashions.  In 1925 he opened a store on Liberty's Store on Regents Street.

Here are some of the items in the exhibition. All the items are made from Liberty fabrics. This is a silk brocade evening coat dated 1920s

Ivory satin embroidered collar c.1895

This court dress(1907) was made by Liberty for the wife of the Attorney General. It was made from Spitalfields brocade shortly before the Spitalfields mills closed down and was worn to a ball at the Court of St James in 1907.

Kimono (1920s silk) which was the inspiration for the fabric design, irises and butterflies (seen in the frame behind the kimono).

Jackets c1968

1970s floral print dress.

Recognise any of these styles?

The chic skirt and scarf look of the mid 1970s was made using the 'Bauhaus' print , one of Liberty's best known designs.

                                           













The Cunard print.

Liberty fabrics have also been used for shoe designs.

Nike trainers (2015)

The silk scarf is synonymous with the name Liberty. Over the years hundreds of different designs and colours have appeared on the scarves.

I have yet to own a Liberty silk scarf!
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