Liberty London Mall / Shopping Area

Covent Garden / Soho, London –

An iconic shopping destination that has been part of the haughty London scene for over a century, Liberty London, despite its name, is a refuge for slaves of fashion.

Founded in 1875 by Arthur Liberty, the multi-story mecca to furnishings and fabrics is housed in an imitation Tudor building, largely constructed from a pair of ships that long ago roamed the high seas.

Lit by a glass-paned ceiling lined with rough timber, the five-level interior looks as if it could double for the set of some Shakespearean play, and the wooden floors still creek as stiletto-clad scenesters navigate the maze of goods.

Each section is neatly laid out, from the sweet-smelling Fragrance Room where elegant locals dab themselves with Frederic Malle to the glittering Jewelry Room where diamond pendants run £1,000+. Armani hangs from the racks in Designer Classics, while Oriental rugs hang from the Rug Emporium’s ceilings. Mountains of textiles in the sewing shop could inspire an athlete to become a seamstress, and the Gift Shop is sure to satiate anyone’s need for Wedgwood pottery and Marc Jacobs.

There’s a cargo-load of store brands to choose from, too, of course, including specialty fabrics, soaps, and an Egyptian Magic Cream said to be derived from hieroglyphic instructions in an ancient pyramid.

Whether patrons are day-tripping tourists or rich and ritzy regulars, they’ll find in Liberty London a shopping extravaganza that promises an experience as eclectic as the items for sale.