Burberry Group plc, founded by Thomas Burberry in 1856, is a renowned British fashion brand based in London. Specializing in ready-to-wear clothing, Burberry is famous for its iconic trench coats, leather accessories, and footwear.
The event marks the introduction of the history of Burberry, a renowned fashion brand established in 1854.
Burberry was founded in 1856.
Thomas Burberry invents gabardine fabric, which is breathable, weatherproof, and durable, revolutionizing rainwear that was previously heavy and uncomfortable.
In 1880, Thomas Burberry's research led to the creation of Gabardine, a breathable and weatherproof fabric that revolutionized the fashion industry.
In 1888, Burberry patented gabardine, a polished and practical weatherproof cotton fabric that remained a key material for Burberry.
The first Burberry store was opened in Haymarket, London in 1891, marking the beginning of the brand's retail presence.
In 1895, Burberry introduced the 'Tielocken' coat, which later evolved into the iconic trench coat known today.
In 1900, Burberry was commissioned by the British War Office to design an overcoat, leading to the creation of a new standard in military attire.
The original Equestrian Knight Design was created in 1901 as the logo for Burberry, symbolizing protection, innovation, and the company's forward-looking spirit.
Air Commodore Edward Maitland wears Burberry gabardine during a record-breaking hot air balloon journey from Crystal Palace to Russia, covering 1,117 miles in 31 ½ hours.
Burberry established its presence in Paris by opening its first store at 8 Boulevard Malesherbes.
Claude Grahame-White, a renowned aviator, wore Burberry gabardine when he achieved the milestone of being the first person to fly between London and Manchester in under 24 hours.
In 1911, Burberry became the outfitters for Roald Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton, who were notable explorers. They provided attire for Amundsen's South Pole expedition and Shackleton's Antarctica crossing.
The quintessential British coat, the trench coat, was created by Thomas Burberry in 1914 to protect the military during the First World War. It has become a global fashion icon.
During the First World War, Burberry supplied clothing and gear to the military. The iconic Burberry trench coat was specifically designed for the Armed Forces, with features like epaulettes, gun flap, D-rings, and storm shield serving practical purposes. These design elements continue to be present in modern Burberry trench coats.
In 1919, Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown made history by completing the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 72 hours, wearing Burberry aviator suits. This achievement highlighted the durability and functionality of Burberry's clothing.
In 1920, the famous Burberry check pattern was officially registered as a trademark and started being featured on all trench coats, becoming a symbol of the brand.
In 1924, George Mallory wore a Burberry gabardine jacket during his attempt to climb Mount Everest. This highlighted Burberry's durable and functional outdoor clothing.
In 1934, Burberry introduced the Burberry Check as a trademark, using it as a lining for the trench coat. This marked the beginning of the iconic Burberry signature that is recognized today.
In 1937, A. E. Clouston and Betty Kirby-Green broke the world record for the fastest return flight from London to Cape Town in The Burberry airplane sponsored by the brand. This showcased Burberry's involvement in aviation garments.
Burberry is granted a Royal Warrant as a Weatherproofer by HM Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing its quality and craftsmanship.
During the 1960s, Burberry organized fashion shows in London, Paris, Milan, Brussels, Berlin, and Tokyo, showcasing its collections to a global audience.
In 1964, Burberry became the official outerwear supplier for the British women's Olympic team competing in the Tokyo Olympics, providing them with stylish and functional attire.
By 1965, Burberry was responsible for exporting one in five coats from Britain, highlighting the brand's significant presence in the outerwear market.
In 1967, the Check accessory was born when a buyer at the Burberry Paris store used the Check pattern to wrap luggage and create an umbrella cover, marking the evolution of the signature house code.
In 1968, Burberry aired its first television commercial in Britain, marking a significant milestone in the brand's advertising history.
The Burberry Classic Check Cashmere scarf is introduced around 1970, becoming a timeless accessory for the brand.
In 1972, Burberry acquired a factory in Castleford, Yorkshire, where the brand still produces its iconic trench coats, showcasing a commitment to its heritage and craftsmanship.
In the 1980s, the iconic Burberry Classic Check Cashmere scarf is created, solidifying its place as a staple accessory for the brand.
Burberry receives a Royal Warrant from HRH The Prince of Wales as an Outfitter, further solidifying its reputation.
In 1994, Burberry made a significant move by expanding its operations into the Chinese market.
In 1997, GUS director Victor Barnett appointed Rose Marie Bravo to lead a corporate reorganization and restore Burberry as a luxury fashion house. This marked a significant turning point for the brand.
Burberry introduced its iconic menswear trench coat in 1998, solidifying its position in the fashion industry.
In 1999, Burberry underwent a rebranding process, changing its company name from Burberrys to Burberry.
In 2000, Burberry established its presence on Bond Street in London, a move that solidified its reputation as a global luxury brand.
In May 2001, Christopher Bailey joined Burberry as creative director, eventually becoming the chief creative officer and CEO. His tenure saw significant growth and changes within the brand.
In July 2002, Burberry Group plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange.
In 2004, Burberry introduced its first online platform allowing customers in the United States to make purchases through the website.
In 2005, Burberry underwent a demerger from Great Universal Stores (GUS), leading to the separation of the two entities and their operations.
In January 2006, Angela Ahrendts took over as the CEO of Burberry, succeeding Rose Marie Bravo.
In October 2006, Burberry initiated online sales in the United States.
In 2008, Burberry experienced a significant 18.5% decrease in its shares as profits declined.
In 2009, The Burberry Foundation was established as a philanthropic arm aimed at supporting young individuals in achieving their aspirations through creativity. Burberry pledged to donate a portion of their yearly group profit to charitable endeavors.
Burberry reported a 21% increase in revenue in the first half of 2010, attributed to a growing presence outside of Europe and a successful celebrity endorsed advertisement campaign.
In 2011, Burberry, a renowned British luxury fashion brand, showcased its latest collection in a high-profile fashion show, setting trends and captivating the fashion industry.
In 2012, Burberry expanded its e-commerce presence by launching a new transactional website, Burberry.com, which served 44 countries in 13 different languages. This move made Burberry the first luxury brand to offer online shopping to customers globally.
In April 2014, Angela Ahrendts moved to Apple, Inc. as Senior Vice President of retail and online, leading to Christopher Bailey taking over as CEO of Burberry.
In 2015, Burberry launched the Scarf Bar in stores and online, allowing customers to design and customize their cashmere scarves, including monogramming.
In July 2016, Marco Gobbetti was announced as the new CEO of Burberry, succeeding Christopher Bailey.
In 2017, Burberry collaborated with designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, embracing a 'gopnik' 90s club vision of the brand.
In March 2018, Riccardo Tisci, former creative director at Givenchy, was named as Burberry's chief creative officer.
In April 2018, Sir John Peace announced his resignation as chairman of Burberry, to be succeeded by Gerry Murphy. Murphy expressed excitement to lead the company alongside Marco Gobbetti.
In May 2018, Burberry filed a lawsuit against Target Corporation for allegedly copying its check print designs, seeking $2 million in damages.
In July 2018, Burberry faced criticism for destroying unsold clothes and accessories worth over £90m to protect its brand. The company later announced it would cease this practice.
In February 2019, Burberry issued an apology for featuring a hoodie with a noose around the neck in its London Fashion Week show, leading to backlash and removal of the item.
In February 2020, Burberry was forced to close 24 out of its 64 stores in China due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2021, Burberry was targeted in China due to alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, leading to brand ambassador Zhou Dongyu terminating her contract.
An event showcasing the rich history and legacy of the British luxury fashion brand Burberry.
In April 2022, Jonathan Akeroyd took over as Burberry's CEO after Marco Gobbetti's departure, with a £6m compensation package.
In July 2022, Burberry appointed Thai artist Vachirawit Chivaaree as its first Global Brand Ambassador from the South Asia-Pacific Region.
In September 2022, Burberry announced Daniel Lee as the new Chief Creative Officer, replacing Riccardo Tisci.
In February 2023, Burberry unveiled a new logo and branding featuring the Equestrian Knight logo, with an advertising campaign showcasing British models and musicians.
In April 2023, rapper Kano was featured in a Burberry marketing campaign, part of the brand's 'modern take on British luxury' direction.
In October 2023, Burberry partnered with Vestiaire Collective on a circular style project, allowing customers to exchange second-hand Burberry items for a gift card.
Burberry launched its Summer 2024 collection.
Burberry commits to becoming Climate Positive by 2040, setting targets to reduce emissions across its supply chain by 46% by 2030 and initiating projects to assist others in reducing their carbon footprint.