Liberty & Co. founded in London in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty (1843-1917) as a retailer specializing in goods from the Orient and Far East, became strongly influenced by the Aesthetic Movement, and later, was associated with the Art Nouveau style. The retailer, an advocate of affordable and distinctive design, not only imported items, but also tapped English designers to produce furniture, household goods, and fine textiles. Arthur Silver produced Liberty's iconic peacock textile 'Hera' in the late 19th century. The signature motif refers to the bird sacred to the eponymous Greek goddess and is used to dramatic effect in this evening coat based upon the Middle Eastern caftan. The changeante fabric mirrors the iridescence of peacock feathers.
