Burberry brand is founded by Thomas Burberry in the year 1856, A 21 year’s young blood from Hampshire, England. He begins his journey with the mission of manufacturing outwear that could withstand the harsh British climate.
Before the introduction of Burberry, People used to wear heavy woolen clothes or rubber coats for weather protection. In the year 1879, Burberry introduced a revolutionary fabric named – Gabardine.
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This tightly woven, water-resistant yet breathable cloth changed the way people dressed for the outdoors. Their product gains popularity among adventurers, explorers, and military personnel. Famous personality named Sir Ernest Shackleton’s wear their products to complete Antarctic journey and aviator Betty Kirby-Green’s record-breaking flight from England to Cape Town. These real-world applications reinforced Burberry’s image as a brand built for resilience and endurance.
Burberry plays crucial role during World War I, when Burberry was receive order to design and manufacture trench coats for British officers. Trench coats are basically garment tailored for performance in the field. Features includes epaulettes (to display rank), storm flaps (for weather protection), and D-rings (for carrying equipment). This need grabs the attention of many civilians and slowly becomes the style statement.
In 1924, Burberry does something that becomes the recognizable symbol in fashion history – Introduction of Burberry check. Initially used as a lining for trench coats, the beige, black, red, and white plaid pattern evolved into a signature motif. After that, it started appeared on umbrellas, scarves and accessories.
Throughout the 20th century, Burberry becomes the global brand liked by politicians, celebrities and everyday consumers. Even liked and worn by Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales.
Burberry started facing challenges during 1990’s because of overexposure and association with counterfeit culture threatened its image. To protects its prestige and regain its identity, Company worked on re-branding under the supervision of CEO Rose Marie Bravo and later creative director Christopher Bailey.
Christopher Bailey played pivotal role in regaining its prestige by redesigning their trench coat and emphasized Burberry’s British roots with a contemporary flair. Bailey use digital strategies to market Burberry products globally by pioneering fashion live-streams, social media campaigns and a strong e-commerce presence.
In 2018, Riccardo Tisci joined as chief creative officer started working with Marco Gobbetti by introducing a new monogram and reinterpreting Burberry’s heritage codes for a younger, global audience.
In recent years, Burberry took lot of initiatives to save environment by introducing technologies to manufacture more sustainable materials that reduces waste.
Lots of new styles introduced since decades. Burberry has remained relevant by continuously balancing innovation with tradition.
Today, Burberry stands as a symbol of enduring British luxury. With nearly 170 years of history behind it, the brand continues to lead with a forward-thinking vision while honoring the craftsmanship, functionality, and design that have defined it since 1856. Whether worn on the streets of London, the runways of Paris, or in cities around the world, Burberry represents a unique fusion of tradition and innovation—making it one of the most iconic and resilient names in fashion.
