Inverness artist to model her own vintage-style outfit as London design house, Liberty, celebrates 150 years

An Inverness artist has been chosen to take to the catwalk in her homemade vintage-style outfit to celebrate 150 years of the iconic London design house, Liberty.

A delighted Sarah James-Gaukroger is one of just 20 sewists selected to take part in the show at the Design Centre in Islington later this month.

She will model a coat and top she created by using a 1950s/60s pattern and a quirky parrot-themed fabric.

“I am thrilled,” said Sarah, of Old Edinburgh Road. “I really didn’t expect to be chosen.”

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Founded by Arthur Lasenby Liberty - who opened his emporium in Regent Street in 1875 - Liberty is world-renowned for its high-end fashion, luxury homeware and its own fabric line.

Sarah, who runs a commission-based business, Vintage Vision, hand-crafting items such as bridal accessories, special clothes, jewellery and interiors from old sentimental treasures, is a passionate Liberty fan and visits the store once a year.

“I have an annual pilgrimage with my friend,” she said

“I am a lifelong fan of Liberty fabrics and they truly are my most favourite fabric to sew with.

“They are bold. They are colourful. They are of exquisite quality and of a quirky design.

“I have an eye for the unusual and I am always drawn to something unique and quirky.

“Having such iconic prints and fine quality material is part of the sensory pleasure in making my own clothes.

“I have done so for as long as I can remember, as I like having something different.”

She created the outfit she will model using a vintage Butterick pattern from the late 1950s/early 1960s.

“A friend gifted me her mum’s old dress-making patterns,” she said.

“It is part of a collection.

“It is the first time I have used it and it came out beautifully.”

The Liberty's fabric she used is called Sonny James.

“I was immediately captivated by the design of the fabric, which features colourful parrots, as my surname is James so it felt absolutely right,” she said.

“My choice of sewing pattern is key to the design as it is classic and flattering and forms part of a circular economy - I am a keen ‘make do and mend’ soul!

“I feel that the combination of Liberty fabrics with vintage style really ticks all the unique and quirky boxes for me.”

Sarah, who studied fashion and art and design at Herefordshire College of Art and Design, said she was fortunate enough to be taught to sew by three women in her family including her Great Auntie Gladys Gwendolyn James who was a tailoress, having undertaken an apprenticeship in about 1900.

Sarah, who described her as an “amazingly talented woman”, recalled her aunt making properly-tailored coats for her dolls when she was a child.

“She also loved parrots, so this outfit is a heart-felt tribute to her,” Sarah said.

“She helped to teach me many detailed sewing techniques such as pattern matching, which are evident in the items I will be modelling.”

The show, which is among a programme of events marking Liberty’s 150th anniversary, takes place on March 22.

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