Founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, a 21-year-old draper's apprentice, this quintessentially British brand began as a small outfitter's shop in Basingstoke, Hampshire. What started as a modest endeavor to create durable outerwear revolutionized fashion through groundbreaking fabric technology
The Invention That Changed Everything
In 1879, Burberry developed gabardine, the world's first waterproof yet breathable fabric. This innovation came from Thomas Burberry's frustration with traditional rubber-coated raincoats that trapped perspiration. By tightly waxing individual yarns before weaving the fabric, he created material that repelled water while allowing vapor to pass through—a technology still used today. This discovery provided the foundation for one of Burberry's most famous products.
Military Heritage Meets Fashion
The iconic Trench CoatD-ringsstorm flaps, and reversible buckles
Checkered Past to Distinctive Pattern
Introduced in the 1920s, the Nova Checkheritage scarf series.
Trading Raincoats for Runway Dominance
Christopher Bailey’s 17-year tenure (2001-2018) as Creative Director