Experienced shopping tourists are familiar with the London department store Liberty near Oxford Street. After all, the luxury store has been around since 1875, when Arthur Liberty took out a loan of 2000 pounds from his father-in-law to open a small shop selling Asian fabrics, jewellery and objets d'art. The shop grew steadily, neighbouring premises were acquired and the money was quickly repaid.

Now a listed building, Liberty's Tudor premises on Regent Street are spread over five storeys and sell not just fashion and accessories but also household products, antique furniture and cosmetics. FALKE is very much at home in this exclusive setting and has a dedicated display for its men's collection, knitted socks for women and children's socks. The range includes plain, discreetly patterned and coloured models - a perfect match for the high-end designer clothing on the adjacent clothes racks.

Text by Judith Jenner

Photos by Martin N. Kunz