From humble beginnings to global luxury dominance, the story of Burberry is a testament to British craftsmanship, innovation, and enduring style. Since its establishment in 1856, this iconic brand has redefined outerwear while maintaining its heritage DNA.
Founding Vision: Practicality Meets Elegance
At just 21 years old, draper's apprentice Thomas Burberrygabardine
Military Roots of an Icon
The brand's destiny changed when Burberry designed the World War I trench coatsignature trench coat collection, still coveted over a century later.
"In very truth, Burberry is the standard by which all others are measured when performance becomes couture." - Fashion Historian James Sherwood
Checkered History
The Nova Check pattern, registered in 1924, initially served as lining for trench coats. This distinctive beige/black/red design unexpectedly became one of fashion's most recognizable status symbols - though the brand wisely scaled back its use
Modern Transformation
Burberry entered the 21st century with digital-first campaigns that changed luxury marketing. Under former CEO Angela Ahrendts and Creative Director Christopher Bailey, the brand:
- Pioneered live-streamed runway shows (2010)
- Launched "see-now-buy-now" collections (2016)
- Established social media as a core luxury sales channel
Sustainability Meets Innovation
Recent years have seen Burberry commit to environmental responsibility while pushing creative boundaries. The 2019 modern rebrand with monogram by Peter Saville complemented initiatives like:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Phased out real fur usage |
| 2020 | Carbon neutral status achieved |
| 2022 | Regenerated leather introduced in select lines |