Liberty is a department store in London, UK, celebrated for its heritage, designer fashion, luxury fabrics, homewares, and beauty products.
The store spans six floors and offers a curated selection of high-end and emerging fashion brands, home furnishings, accessories, and Liberty’s renowned fabrics and prints.
The brand continues to champion craftsmanship and design innovation, maintaining a vast archive of historic and contemporary artworks and fabrics.
Short history of Liberty London
Founded in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty, the store began as a small shop on Regent Street selling imported ornaments, fabrics, and objets d’art, particularly from Japan and the East, and it was envisioned as a “ship” docked in London streets.
Liberty quickly became influential in fashion and interior design, notably associated with the Art Nouveau movement, which in Italy is even known as “Stile Liberty” after the store.
Liberty also collaborated with notable designers like William Morris and René Beauclair to create its iconic fabric collections.
The store expanded over time, acquiring neighbouring properties and eventually moving into its iconic Tudor-style building on Great Marlborough Street, completed in 1924. This building was designed by Edwin Thomas and Edwin Stanley Hall, embodying the Arts and Crafts philosophy with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, echoing Arthur Liberty’s admiration for Tudor traditions.
What is Liberty London all about?
Liberty London’s mission centres on creating timeless, beautifully crafted pieces using their iconic fabrics, designed to be enjoyed and cherished.
The brand is committed to discovery, arts, culture, design, and the pursuit of beauty, upholding a dedication to originality, craftsmanship, and making good design accessible to all.
Liberty is renowned for its in-house design studio, which hand-produces hundreds of fabric prints each year, drawing from an archive of over 50,000 historic patterns that skilled artisans in Italy then print.
Beyond shopping, Liberty is regarded as a cultural and historical destination in London, celebrated for its architecture, artistic details, and unique atmosphere that blends old-world charm with contemporary design.
Liberty also actively engages in social responsibility, supporting under-represented causes and partnering with charities, particularly those aligned with craft and design values. For instance, they have supported survivors of modern slavery through fundraising and awareness campaigns, reflecting their broader mission to make a positive impact beyond retail.
What do they have to offer?
Liberty London offers a diverse array of designer brands across fashion, jewellery, beauty, and fabrics.
It is known for its heritage prints and fabrics, as well as for launching and supporting innovative designers and brands in the luxury market.
Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Isabel Marant, Dries Van Noten, Paul Smith, Jil Sander, Joseph, and Acne Studios are all available. Saint Laurent, Sandqvist, and Loewe are also among the many to have their collections on offer.
Liberty has a strong reputation for discovering and launching new talent, often being the first retailer to stock now-iconic brands such as Paloma Wool, Byredo (fragrance), JW Anderson (fashion), and Maria Tash (luxury piercing and jewellery).
What is the user experience like?
The Liberty London site offers a modern, user-friendly digital shopping experience characterised by fast loading times, international access, and rich editorial content designed to enhance customer engagement.
The website showcases Liberty’s curated products and heritage while making luxury shopping accessible globally. It is structured to guide visitors through various luxury product categories, including fabrics, clothing, and interiors, featuring editorial content that inspires home decoration and fashion choices.
Additionally, the site promotes interactive and cultural experiences, such as panel discussions, workshops, and curated collections, enhancing engagement beyond e-commerce.
The design elegantly balances modern digital technology with Liberty’s traditional artisanal roots. For instance, digital printing techniques are paired with hand-drawn artwork, and the website reflects this blend with sophisticated, clean layouts that emphasise imagery and storytelling.
The site often features stories about the design process, collaborations, and events like the London Design Festival that celebrate creativity and craftsmanship. Furthermore, the website supports a loyalty programme called Liberty Collective, allowing customers to earn points and access benefits both online and in-store.
Liberty London maintains an active presence across several social networks, particularly on Instagram, where they share photos and videos showcasing their design studio, creative team, and unique products.
Additionally, Liberty uses its social media platforms to champion charitable causes and community initiatives, integrating these efforts into its broader brand mission.
What are the prices like?
Liberty’s reputation as a luxury department store means it caters to a sophisticated clientele seeking quality, exclusivity, and unique designs.
The store offers high-end luxury and designer clothing, so prices typically reflect the premium nature of these brands.
Women’s designer clothing often ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars, accessories and smaller items may start from a few hundred dollars, and exclusive or limited-edition pieces and collaborations tend to be on the even higher end of the price spectrum.
For precise pricing, it is best to visit Liberty’s official website or the store directly, as prices fluctuate with new collections and designer releases.
What are their shipping options?
Liberty London offers both domestic and international shipping.
Shipping to the US, with free delivery on orders over $200. Shipping cost to the US is $20 for orders below $200 and takes 4-5 business days. Shipping is done on a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) basis, meaning no additional customs duties or taxes should be due upon delivery for US orders.
For other countries, it is best to check directly on the site, or see the full list in the table below.
Conclusion!
Liberty London is a prestigious UK department store with a rich history, a strong focus on design and craftsmanship, and a diverse offering of luxury goods and unique Liberty fabrics.
The site is designed to communicate Liberty’s unique position as a heritage brand that champions creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation through a visually rich, content-driven, and user-friendly online experience.
The website integrates storytelling about the design process and collaborations while providing seamless access to luxury products and design inspiration.
The company offers a unique luxury shopping experience with exclusive products and a strong heritage appeal.
However, the high prices and mixed online customer service experiences may be drawbacks for some shoppers.