LCF x Liberty - graduates design garments using latest Liberty Fabrics collection

Three London College of Fashion graduates have collaborated with Liberty to design bespoke collections using Liberty's new Autumn/Winter 2021 fabrics collection, The New Collectables. This is LCF's second collaboration with Liberty, who are committed to championing young talent and the designers of the future.

Katie Sorrell from BA Menswear, Hannah Othilie Romberg Marthinsen from MA Womenswear and Thi Phuong Thao Nguyen from MA Menswear spent the summer crafting their special garments, which exclusively use Liberty fabrics. Working remotely from Berlin, London and Oslo respectively, alongside some visits to the Liberty headquarters in central London, the students were mentored through the process by Rob Phillips, Creative Director at the School of Design and Technology.

The LCF X LIBERTY LONDON partnership was so confidently effortless, it allowed everyone to play their unique role, make their mark and contribute to every ending. The many wondrously indulgent textiles transported students on an expedition through pattern, placement, texture and atmosphere, to powerfully poetic results. - Rob Phillips, Creative Director, School of Design and Technology

Katie Sorrell -  BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear

For me to be able to use Liberty fabric within my designs has always been a bit of a dream, I suppose. When I was asked to do this project, knowing that I would be designing garments for Liberty and solely using their fabrics, it was amazing - a great next step for me and my work.

At the beginning, we were shown the Liberty A/W 21 fabric range which was so vast, everything was just as beautiful as you expect. I selected the fabrics that spoke to my work and just collated this into my designs.

When deciding the fabrics, I knew that I wanted a collection that was filled with Liberty’s vibrant, full print patterns; these complemented and contrasted with each other.


Hannah Othilie Romberg Marthinsen - MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear

For my graduate collection, I was working on how we can use shadows as a research method in fashion and if that could make us question or see objects, garments and gender in new ways.

During my MA course, I had an amazing course leader, Nabil El-Nayal. One of the most important things I take with me from him is to trust the process. For me, it's just trusting that you're going to get there in the end and taking all of those small routes, because in those small little ventures, that's where you get your biggest and greatest ideas.

After a while, working with colours and patterns felt really forced. It didn't feel like it was me as a designer - even if you're working with such a big company as Liberty, you still kind of want to put some of your DNA and aesthetics into it. I luckily found one amazing pattern that's a bit like flowers and has this dark black colour palette with a dove grey. It really fit into my world as a designer as well.

Thi Phuong Thao Nguyen - MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear



I worked from my home studio in Berlin, which was quite challenging to start with. But we had many design meetings with Liberty and with the print team - it was great to have these discussions together.

From first design to final garment the ideas shifted and changed. I started to design without having the fabrics here so I couldn't really see the real colour and feel the real weight of the fabric, which is quite important for me because I'm doing menswear tailoring.

In the end, the very thin cotton from Liberty gave my designs a softer, feminine look which I really like.

• Visit LCF's instagram to see more about this project
• Find out more about BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear
• Find out more about MA Fashion Design Technology (Womenswear)
• Find out more about MA Fashion Design Technology (Menswear)