150 Years of Liberty: Masterpieces of Design

Liberty of London is far more than just a shop; it is also a byword for luxury and innovation.  Founded in 1876, at the height of the 19th century craze for all things Aesthetic and Japanese, it was an immediate success.  Its Oriental textiles, Middle Eastern rugs, and Artistic accessories and dress were widely admired, and the shop was beloved by connoisseurs such as the painter James McNeill Whistler and the critic Oscar Wilde as well as by the cream of London’s fashionable elite.  During the 1890s Liberty’s close relationship with designers such as Archibald Knox, Lindsay Butterfield and Charles Voysey cemented the company’s association with Art Nouveau which became so strong that the style became known as Stile Liberty in Italy.  The spirit of innovation continued throughout the inter- and post-war years with the shop’s promotion of the Art Deco, Op and Pop designs.  Today, collaborations include everyone from Vivienne Westwood and House of Hackney to Hello Kitty and Florence Welch! This lecture marks the 150th anniversary of Liberty and tells the story of a business whose rich history and legacy continues to inspire people all over the world today.

Jo Banham is a freelance curator, lecturer and writer. From 2006-2016 she was Head of Adult Learning at the Victoria & Albert Museum, and before that Head of Learning and Access at the National Portrait Gallery, and Head of Public Programmes at Tate Britain. She has also been Curator of Leighton House and Assistant Keeper at the Whitworth Art Gallery. She has published on many aspects of Victorian and early 20th century decoration and interiors. She recently curated an exhibition on William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement for the Juan March Fundacion in Madrid and the Museu Nacional d’Art Catalunya in Barcelona and she is currently writing a book on the History of Wallpaper. She is also Director of the Victorian Society Summer School.