Liberty still in 'stile' at Olympia this March

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Around the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries, everyone wanted the sinuous forms of the latest art and design craze – but what the British and American’s called ‘Art Nouveau’ was ‘style (or stile) Liberty’ to most of continental Europe. The style was strongly associated with London’s Liberty department store.

At the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show in London’s Olympia from the 14to 17March the Liberty Room will imitate the Regent Street window displays of the still-ultra-fashionable store.

The inspirational room will feature the brand new Lifestyle range of craft fabrics, alongside the heritage Tana Lawn collection (anyone who has ever made anything in Tana Lawn knows it sews beautifully and seems to last and last).

Visitors will be able to sit comfortably in the Liberty Room and soak up the atmosphere, then head to one of the retailers to choose from a selection of Liberty fabrics and creative projects (including Fabrics Galore on L20, Sunflower Fabrics on K20, Alice Caroline on E65 and Worn and Washed on C70).

Part of the new Lifestyle Collection is the ‘Liberty Stile Collection’, inspired by the Art Nouveau movement and particularly Glasgow designer and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who is also often associated with the style. The Art Nouveau movement had an important influence on the rich cultural history of Liberty and many of the designs it produced. This is evidenced by the wealth of Art Nouveau art work and design held in the extensive Liberty archive.

Don’t miss your opportunity to enjoy this showcase of Liberty fabrics at The NEW Spring Knitting and Stitching Show, held in the recently renovated Olympia Two and Olympia West Hall, from 14 to 17 March 2013.

For further information and tickets call 01473 321 872 or visit www.twistedthread.com A lucky five readers can claim a pair of tickets free by emailing your name and postal address with the word CASSONE in the subject box to [email protected] before  1 March 2013.

Read Jenny Kingsley's article about the new interest in crafts today. With artists such as Grayson Perry getting involved, craft is cool now, as she reveals.