I’ll stop posting these windows I promise but if I posted the Selfridges ones, I simply couldn’t ignore my TRULY favourite department store in London. Sure, Liberty isn’t as flashy or big as Selfridges and it doesn’t have match it selection-wise as they buy in smaller quantities. But it’s tucked away (even more so now that COS has taken over what used to be Liberty’s Regent Street store front), discreet and most importantly I can shop with my sanity still intact. It’s probably the exterior that strikes people as unusual but it’s the interior that really makes me feel like wandering in there with no real purpose other than to peruse. I love the wood fronted lifts. I love that there’s a reception area when you enter with a sideboard table and some nice fresh flowers, kind of like the sort of chintzy thing a housewife would do to welcome guests into her home. I love that it feels like you’re entering a stately home that happens to be filled with cutting edge labels (their buyers I think take more chances than one would think…). Oh, and the music is also similarly subtle, used appropriately to create an ambiance as opposed to being shoved in your face.
Anyway, my port of call for late night window snapping was Liberty and they too have taken a shining to S&M/bondage themes, with mannequins dangling mid-air in action movie poses supported with pulleys. There’s still a soft edge added with tree sillhouettes and moon-lit setting. The clothes though aren’t the main focus as they merely act as a framework for hanging a plethora of bags and clutches. Lux accessories aren’t really my strong point but if there is one place where I can be woo-ed by a bag or a purse it is Liberty’s accessories floor. It doesn’t have that air of ‘Buy this IT bag NOW NOW NOW!’ that other department stores have and seems to invite you to touch, menander and ponder the bags. At the moment, I’m watching Anne Valerie Hash and Pauric Sweeney with a beady, desire-induced eye.
These particular displays showcases more from Liberty of London’s AW07-8 collection of accessories. Yes, yes yes…more of the embossing but I just can’t help but want a bag that I can run my fingers over in a semi-bag-fetishist way….
On a random, unrelated side note, as soon as I saw these shoes, if I could, I would buy them pronto and wing them over to the lovely Queen Michelle at Kingdom of Style as they are brogues of a more decorative nature and in Valley-girl speak ‘SOOOOO her’.
And I would graciously accept them dearest Susie!!
Of all the buildings in London, Liberty was hands down my favourite. As ridiculous as it seems, I nearly cried when I saw it! It is breathtakingly beautiful. I just wandered around touching all the wood!
And that store front is STUNNING! Don’t stop taking pictures of shop fronts – if I can’t actually get to London then I’ll get to virtually go via your pictures.
“Don’t stop taking pictures of shop fronts – if I can’t actually get to London then I’ll get to virtually go via your pictures.”
I second that!!!
Yes, we all love the window displays, so don’t stop posting them! I’d be a bit afraid to go into this particular shop though, looks S&M-ish.
That storefront…is beautiful. I don’t know if it’s just me, but it’s oddly dreamlike, which is an odd but good combination with the S&M theme- pictures that draw on that are usually so hard-edged.
shit, the frame bag at far right. damn.
gorgeous bags, wish they were available online!
Do liberty’s have a good range of long gloves?
If this is the case may have to have a look next time i’m in london.