Join author and historian Anna Buruma for an illustrated talk exploring how Liberty & Co became a name synonymous with Aestheticism and the English Art Nouveau movement, shaping the evolution of artistic dress in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Liberty’s dress department, established in 1884 under the direction of architect and Aesthetic Movement pioneer Edward William Godwin, offered an alternative to the restrictive fashions of the era. At a time when women were rebelling against tight corsets and heavy petticoats, Liberty championed flowing silhouettes, natural dyes, and exquisite handwork. Their signature soft silks, sheer fabrics, and textiles sourced from Asia and the Middle East made Liberty the destination for those seeking individuality and artistic expression.
In this talk, author and keeper of the Liberty’s textile archive Anna Buruma draws on rare archival materials and previously unpublished pattern books to uncover Liberty’s influential role in artistic dress. Discover how their distinctive designs—ranging from Greek and Roman-inspired evening gowns to medieval-style tea dresses—helped redefine fashion and paved the way for Art Nouveau.
Whether you’re passionate about fashion history, design, or cultural movements, this fascinating event offers a unique insight into Liberty’s enduring legacy of innovation and style.
Thursday 29 January 2026, 18:00 – 19:00
£17.50 General Admission | £15.50 Student | Tickets include exhibition entry + complimentary drink
BOOK NOWArtistic Dress at Liberty & Co, £35, published by Yale, will be available to purchase from the Museum shop on the night of the event.
About the speaker
Anna Buruma trained as a theatre designer and had a successful career as a costume designer in television and film before completing an MA, specialising in the History of Dress, at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Buruma managed and catalogued the textile archive at Liberty from 1996 to 2022. From 2005-2024 she was also part-time museum curator at Central Saint Martins.
infoInfo
Confirmation email: Once you have made a booking, you will receive a confirmation email detailing all the information you will need prior to your event, this is your event ticket. You will also receive a reminder email one week prior to your event.
Event details: Please check your confirmation email for the start and finish times of your event. Upon entry, please present your ticket(s) on your device or a note of your booking reference number. Exhibition entry is included in your ticket, you are welcome to view the exhibition before or after the event.
Eating and drinking: No food or drink is permitted in the Museum, other than bottled water. The Fashion and Textile Museum is located in the heart of Bermondsey Street, surrounded by award-winning restaurants, cafes and pubs. So, if you would like to enjoy a meal or a drink before or after your visit, there is plenty to choose from.For more information, check out our plan your visit page or our FAQs.