ABSTRACT
In 1884, the year after Chesham House was acquired, Arthur Liberty decided to open a Costume Department with its own studio and workrooms, where dresses would be designed and made in Liberty fabrics. ‘Broadly speaking, our designers have taken their models from historical costumes, modifying them for our own times and conditions, but always retaining something of the characteristic of the original. The designs for children's dresses, as shown in the books of Kate Greenaway, had already to some extent prepared the way; and soon it became very much the mode among artistic people and their imitators to wear a ‘Liberty’ gown at any special function - such was, in fact, recognisable at a glance. The formal letter of appointment still exists. Dated January 17, 1884, and addressed to E. W. Godwin, FSA, it confirms his appointment to supervise the Costume Department at a fee of one guinea for each hour engaged at the studio.
