Liberty, as scent-shoppers know, has a very interesting fragrance department. It’s small – but it’s cleverly curated. And later this spring, the mock Tudor department store/global fashion destination will be partnering with Somerset House for a very exciting exhibition called Perfume: A Sensory Journey Through Contemporary Scent. (We’ll be sharing much more of this with you later.)
As a ‘taster’ for that, Liberty is launching an Alternative Fragrance Festival which will run from Thursday 23rd March through to Sunday 2nd April in what they call their ‘disappearing store’ on the 4th Floor. There’ll be a special pop-up exhibition which also features an edit of antique and vintage fragrance bottles that visitors will be able to buy.
As you can see here, some special collages have been created around some of the niche and indie brands that Liberty is known for stocking: D.S. & Durga‘s Debaser, Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly, Gypsy Water by Byredo, Le Labo Thé Noir 29, Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady and Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger.
There is also a retrospective exhibition of legendary glass designer Pierre Dinand‘s designs and even more excitingly (a truly special opportunity to listen to one of the great raconteurs of the perfume world), he’ll be taking part in an event, below. (Pierre created the bottles for YSL Opium and Rive Gauche, among countless other ground-breaking flacons.)
Tickets for all of these are available priced £10 from Liberty. You have to call Customer Services on 020-7734 1234 to secure yours (and only during store hours. Yup, drives us crazy, too.)
In Conversation With… Azzi Glazzer
Date: Monday 27th March/6-8 pm (Heritage Suite)
The ‘perfume designer’ and creator of The Perfumer’s Story brand will be interviewed by Beauty Director Sophie Beresiner, talking about the creative process behind her fragrances and the candles, which are exclusive to Liberty.
In Conversation With… Lizzie Ostrom (a.k.a. Odette Toilette) and Clare Catterall
Date: Wednesday 29th March/6-8 pm (Heritage Suite)
Our good friend Lizzie/Odette has been working with Somerset House (where Claire Catterall is Senior Curator) on the forthcoming exhibition about perfume – the first in the capital for many years, and one we anticipate visiting several times. Here, they give a sneak preview of things to come, and look at the world of contemporary perfumery.
In Conversation With… Pierre Dinand and Jan Ahlgren
Date: Saturday 1st April/11am-1pm (pop-up event space, 4th Floor)
Pierre Dinand is the world’s greatest bottle designer – a man with a fount of stories and anecdotes about perfumery, as well as a great overview of the olfactory landscape. Having designed the beautiful bottle for Jan Ahlgren’s Vilhelm Parfumerie, Jan is perfectly poised to host this Q+A session with Pierre, who’s not only his hero but has become a mentor.
We dare say we’ll see you there…
liberty.co.uk/020-7734 1234
