From encapsulating the essence of British culture to defining pop culture moments of the 21st century, Burberry’s sartorial imprint can be felt immensely throughout the fashion world. And at the root of it all is the maven Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Officer and President of Burberry.
Having spearheaded the house’s creative growth way beyond the house plaid for the past 17 years, Bailey has elevated the luxury status of brand during his tenure.
The label’s A/W ’18 show, which will be hosted in February 2018, will sadly be his last. Ahead of that, we wanted to take a look back at some of Bailey’s best works which have shaped the Burberry we know today.
During the finale of the Burberry Autumn/Winter 2014 show, Christopher Bailey sent the models out in blanket capes personalised with their initials, simultaneously creating the covetable trophy piece of the season right there and then.
Soon, anybody who’s anybody were spotted rocking one of their own monogrammed blanket wrap. Seen on the likes of supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whitely and A-lister Olivia Palermo, this bold multi-striped topper was deemed the official outerwear of the 2014 fall/winter season.
Photo: Instagram / Burberry
The versatility of Burberry has to be admired. Christopher Bailey’s relentless pursuance in marrying the ubiquitous Burberry check with daring, new-age designs have kept the luxury heritage brand relevant in today’s context.
Case in point: Burberry’s SS14 show, which boast of pastels, lace and rubber trench coats finished with epaulets. Clouds of cashmere were dusted in powdery hues of pink, lemon and lilac; perhaps in an effort to engage Millennials in the petal-soft, charming wit that is in the brand’s DNA.
Photo: Instagram / Burberry
Burberry took the idea of reflective, eye-blinding metallics and ran with it for their SS13 collection. The slick, streamlined silhouette of the classic trench is once again reformed here with “scrunchy” neon fabrics, fusing Burberry’s renowned sophistication with a zap of bold colours and futuristic-looking silks.
Advancing on from trench coats, a parade of bomber jackets and bags was also given the metallic treatment in a full spectrum of neon reds, pinks, aquas and russets. This collection was a joyful, conversation-provoking masterpiece back in 2012 — and what is fashion if it doesn’t hold a significant role in defining moment in pop culture, right?
Photo: Instagram / Burberry
In the Burberry festive short film, “From London with Love” (2014) which had famously starred Romeo Beckham, British model Hannah Dodds was swathed in cascades of honey-hued tulle and soft layers of organza. This twirling tiered gown is basically what all fairytales are made of, with its intricate ruching and breathtaking form.
It’s been three whole years since the film’s release, and what can we say — we’re still as obsessed with it as before. P.s. The layering of the signature Burberry check scarf atop the gown was just a magical, magical touch which was unexpected, yet effective in the storytelling of the perfect “romantic Burberry Christmas”
Photo: Instagram / Burberry
The Burberry trench coat has become a highly sought-after piece that’s so iconic to the house. It was Bailey’s partner-in-crime in framing the brand as a glossy, modern, romantic luxury powerhouse back when he first started out. Even till today, it still remains as a synonymous emblem of the Burberry spirit.
Through the years, Bailey has brought back the classic Burberry trench in reiterated forms. For the September 2017 collection, the iconic trench saw a light-hearted twist – with little doodles of cartoons and hand-scribbled writing manifesting on the coat itself. The Burberry check was also parlayed into a series of baseball caps and button-up dresses, creating an exciting mish-mash of eclecticness and variety.
ALSO READ: DID YOU KNOW YOUR FAVOURITE BURBERRY TRENCH COATS ARE MADE OF THIS?
Photo: Instagram / Burberry
The Fall Winter 2015 collection was titled Patchwork, Pattern and Prints. You may think that that would pretty much give the entire show away, but Bailey had some sartorial wonderments up his sleeves.
Heavily-fringes ponchos took precedence over the trench that season alongside folk dresses, suede patchwork boots and mosaic-encrusted fabrics. Waistlines rose to Empire standard, liberating the usual strict and orderly nature of the house’s shows. We had finally witnessed Burberry at its most unshackled form… And it was breathtaking.
Photo: Instagram / tabithamagazine
Bailey had cherry-picked from the Elizabethan era for the Fall Winter 2016 collection, which featured pristine ruffled accordion collared shirts and ornate outerwear infused with a sense of British bohemian glamour.
We took an immediate liking to this gloomy cerulean trench with all-over tile print. Brandishing a posy amidst psychedelic octagons, this mesmerising motif is the most beguiling object to have ever adorned the Burberry trench (in our opinion, that is).
Photo: Instagram / Burberry
Burberry’s FW17 collection featured a myriad of tulle confections, intricate macramé and of course, cobwebs upon cobwebs of lace. The collection reimagined the Burberry customer in a more feminine light with tiered dresses, white-on-white(-on-white) ensembles, and doily collars.
But of course, the elemental sculptural of certain silhouettes remained untouched as an ode to the heritage of the brand. Elaborate capes, rigid deconstructed knits and curving lines were seen across the collection. Above stands one of our top looks from the collection. A white dress with all-over ruffles tucked into a deconstructed half-suit; a perfect resplendent of olden-fare-meets-modern-ideal.
Photo: Instagram / Burberry
Ah, who can forget this campaign shoot? Most definitely not us. When Burberry introduced Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn as its campaign stars for the Spring Summer 2015 shoot, the world was floored with the impactful synergy of the two who are from vastly different ‘supermodel eras.’
That, of course, was brilliant. But it didn’t overshadow the gorgeous ensembles they were clad in. Suede trenches in intense purple and seafoam green pigments were met with cropped jackets and diaphanous gradient tonal dresses. The then-newly contextualised Burberry look was evidently defined a rainbow concoction of bold colour ways and pop-graphics.
ALSO READ: BURBERRY LOSES CHRISTOPHER BAILEY AFTER 17 YEARS AT THE HELM
Photo: Instagram / Burberry