Liberty, London
West End, W1
Tube: Oxford Circus
London
England
Tel: 44 207 734 1234
www.liberty.co.uk
Concierge.com's insider take:
A department store of two parts—the more eye-catching of which is Tudor House, built in 1924—this enterprise dates to 1875, when Arthur Lasenby Liberty opened his diminutive Regent Street shop to sell fabric and objets d'art from the Far East. From seller of exotic curiosities, Liberty became a trendsetter, contributing to the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements throughout the 1890s. Today, it continues to showcase new designers, be it cutting-edge fashion by Alexander McQueen, iconic furniture by Vitra, and more-routine items, such as bags, books, bikinis, or even chaise lounges decked out in Liberty's famous Art Deco fabrics. Taste this good comes at a price, however, and while a purchase might please your interior designer, it's just as likely to make your accountant cringe.