We take a look back at the iconic history of Burberry and where it is now…
When Thomas Burberry succeeded in opening his first shop in his early twenties, all he had was: his experience as an apprentice, his creativity and his unique talent. In England, specifically in Hampshire, he started his first small business in 1853, which enabled him to make himself and his creations widely popular. A few years later, the Burberry company grew enormously, so much so that in 1870 another establishment was opened, this time as a real emporium, and a further shop in London, which is still owned by the brand today. Burberry has succeeded in all these years to represent the true English essence and to make it famous and sought after all over the world. It has managed to combine the need for durable and comfortable outdoor clothing with elegance, fashion and fine materials. Today, after more than 160 years of growth, no one has any doubt that Burberry is the most prestigious brand in the United Kingdom.
STROKE OF GENIUS
The company’s first challenge was to create a type of clothing that could withstand the freezing British cold. To meet this demand, Burberry came up with its first invention: the Garbadine. With the creation of this fabric, the entrepreneur was able to develop some exclusive, fashionable and high-quality items that were also waterproof and transpiring. Basically, gabardine garments had the advantage of being both comfortable and elegant, and soon became a symbol for British high society.
The second invention came in 1912, and it was truly ingenious. This particular year saw the launch of the famous Tielocken, which is still considered to be the predecessor of the tranch. It was very clean, as it was equipped with a simple waist belt, but it adapted perfectly to any kind of movement, which is why it was often used for outdoor sports.
A third invention that made fashion history is the tartan, the famous beige pattern with black, red and white lines. It is a true icon, which has only been slightly modernised in recent years. An interesting fact about the tartan is that in 2012 the company coloured these lines with rainbow colours to support the LGBTQ+ community around the world.
THE BRAND THAT LITERALLY MADE HISTORY
The high quality of the materials invented and used by Burberry has led to the company receiving commissions from important historical figures on several occasions. For example, the British crown commissioned Burberry to make a tielocken for the British army. So, this invention actually made history and even became part of it. Gabardine was also commissioned for important missions. Over the years, it was used for expeditions to the poles in 1911 and for Mallory’s ascent of Everest in 1924, a venture that is forever etched in British memory.
CINEMA CULT
It was 1942 and Michael Curtiz directed a film called “Casablanca”, which as we already know was going to be a huge success. In the movie, Humphrey Bogart wears a Burberry trench coat, which perfectly defines his character. From this point onwards, this garment became an icon all over the world.
