Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen features in Liberty London. Here are a few of his S/S 12 that I feel are or could have been inspired by underwater and will fit in with my design!

Brands

I will need to find out what brands are featured in the womenswear at Liberty, find the collections for SS 12, appropriate to my trend, to then feature them in my window display!!

List of Brands

Liberty & Co.

Even though Liberty have amazing window displays, it's very awkward to do this project using the store because of it's design! The facia isn't directly above a window display like the Topshop photograph I took in the previous post, it's above the entrance. This would mean I wouldn't be able to have a close shot of the display if I was to include this!

Displays

I went into Preston and took some pictures of some store window displays. Given the time of year, most of these are for Christmas! It's still good research to evaluate rules and find inspiration!

This vintage store's window display is very appropriate for the merchandise and style of the clothes inside! I havn't seen this display change for a while but by using props such as a bicycle places a scene in a walker by's mind, even if they do't sell it in store. I could take inspiration from Wonderland. This display is an open back one, allowing people to see into the store.

This window display is very simple and just shows the mannequins! The colour scheme shows winter 11 but as far as theatre goes I don't like it. The concept of a triangle is used but upside down, (lower object in the middle). This display is a closed back, allowing pictures of models wearing the clothes for sales!

These H&M displays, for inside a mall, are quite outgoing. Even though it features mannequins standing straight, there is use of snow, the colour white, and presents. It is also made to look as if it's in a room with the staircase behind and a closed back wall window display. Like Liberty!

This H&M window just displays mannequins and images, below is an image I took of the store as you look through the entrance. The large white Christmas tree carries on the window display inside! I love this but won't be able to take inspiration from it as Liberty's entrance isn't right next to the window!

River Island used baubles, different sizes and placing, to decorate their display of mannequins! This is an open back window, not only allowing passers by to see into the store but to see the sign of 'Mens Home' above the escalator, potentially bringing in more of a male target audience.

Even though the women's side of the River Island display is open back again, they've placed a bronze wall behind the mannequins to keep the metallic Christmas colour theme running! There is use of height and the triangle rule with display tables and a circular theme with the use of hoops!

This Topshop display would is directly underneath the sign! There's is a definite play around with height and posing of the mannequins, but again, apart from the white Christmas trees making is a closed back display, there is not much to it!

Liberty History

Heritage

Liberty is one of the last great emporiums for innovative and eclectic design. Situated in the heart of London since 1875, it remains to this day the destination of choice for the savvy and sophisticated shopper.

At Liberty, a rich heritage combines with the cutting edge and avant-garde, making each visit a voyage of discovery and excitement. We hope you will be inspired and delighted by our carefully selected offering of beautiful and luxurious products. We welcome you into our eccentric, indulgent and utterly charming world, and invite you to get truly lost in Liberty.

History

Since 1875, Liberty has been synonymous with luxury and great design. Arthur Liberty’s intuitive vision and pioneering spirit led him to travel the world looking for individual pieces to inspire and excite his discerning clientele. Liberty is not just a name above the door, it’s Arthur Liberty’s legacy, which stands for integrity, value, quality and above all beautifully designed product. This vision and spirit continues today within the iconic Tudor building. 

Arthur Lasenby Liberty was born in Chesham, Buckinghamshire in 1843. He was employed at Messrs Farmer and Rogers in Regent Street in 1862, the year of the International Exhibition at Kensington in London. By 1874, inspired by his 10 years of service, Arthur then decided to start a business of his own, believing that he could change the look of home wares and fashion. 

With a £2000 loan from his future father-in-law, Arthur Liberty took on the lease of half a shop at 218a Regent Street with only three staff. 

The shop opened in 1875 selling ornaments, fabric and objets d'art from Japan and the East. Within eighteen months Arthur Liberty had repaid the loan and acquired the second half of 218 Regent Street. As the business grew, neighbouring properties were bought and added. 

In 1885, 142-4 Regent Street was acquired and housed the ever-increasing demand for carpets and furniture. The basement was called the "Eastern Bazaar" home to all things described as "decorative furnishing objects". He named the property Chesham House after the place in which he grew up. The store became the most fashionable place to shop in London and iconic Liberty fabrics were used for both clothing and furnishings. Its clientele was exotic and included famous members of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. 

In 1884 Liberty introduced the costume department into the Regent Street store, under the directorship of Edward William Godwin(1833-86). Godwin was a distinguished architect who believed in all aspects of art. He was a founder member of the Costume Society in 1882. His vision mirrored that of Arthur Liberty and they created in-house apparel to challenge the fashions of Paris. 

In the 1890s Arthur Lasenby Liberty built strong relationships with many leading English designers. Many of these designers were key figures in the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements and Arthur Liberty was instrumental in the development of Art Nouveau through his encouragement of such designers. The store became one of the most prestigious in London. 1920s 

The magnificent Tudor building was built so that trading could continue while renovations were being completed on the other premises and in 1924 this incredible icon was constructed from the timbers of two ships: HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan. The frontage at Great Marlborough Street is the same length as the Hindustan. 

The wonderful emporium was designed by Edwin T. Hall and his son Edwin S. Hall. They designed the Tudor building at the height of the 1920s fashion for Tudor revival. The shop was engineered around three light wells that formed the main focus of the building. Arthur Liberty wanted to create the feeling that you were walking around your own home when you came to his store, so each of these wells was surrounded by smaller rooms to create a homely feel. Many of the rooms had fireplaces and some still exist today. The wells created a wonderful environment in which to drape exotic rugs and quilts, whilst the smaller rooms allowed the display of smaller items. 

Sadly, Arthur Lasenby Liberty, died in 1917, seven years before the completion of his magnificent shops. Post War 

Liberty, in the 1950s, continued its tradition for fashionable and eclectic design. All departments in the shop had a collection of both contemporary and traditional designs. New up and coming designers were promoted and often included those still reflecting the Liberty passion for handcrafted work. 

The 1960s brought about the passion for fashion. Extravagance and luxury were fundamental in the look for both men and women and Eastern influences once again were the inspiration for society. Art Nouveau became fashionable and Liberty adapted the furnishing designs from its archive. 

In 1975 Liberty celebrated its centenary. This was heralded by a major exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. 

Today Liberty is the leading destination store in London, a wonderful emporium where the latest fashions sit alongside design classics.

http://thewindowdisplayblog.com/tag/liberty/

Liberty of London go bananas with these funky, country life inspired windows. Back walls are painted sky blue, and hay stacks stand as props to a mix of denim, flower prints and girly pinks that are seeing on the mannequins. I’m loving the fruity props and mishmash of the fashions.

Liberty

After researching Liberty London's window displays, I've decided to use this brand! If I can get my own photography that is.

To see some of the displays Liberty have selected and posted on their website click here.

My favourite are:

I love the way Liberty used a well known story to portray a trend or merchandise!  Might try to think of any stories that take place underwater e.g. little mermaid and use that for inspiration!

Welcoming a trend via window displays could also be introducing a macro trend, e.g scarfs! I could take something like the colour 'blue' and/or the hat trend and create a window display based on that!

Using important events,  politics, or worldwide issues as a window display is very creative! These then turn into trends! I could use the issue that made 'underwater' a trend and use that: 

'Only 50 years left' for sea fish'