Burberry Fashion

Burberry's signature fashion checkered pattern is seen on the clothing, handbags and other accessories this UK based manufacturer sells to stores across the world.

In 1856 the clothing company was founded by a twenty one year old drapery apprentice (little did he know how much his apprenticeship would come in handy later as a fashion designer) in Hampshire. Fourteen years later the focus was on clothing designed for outdoor wear. In 1880 the founder, Thomas Burberry, invented the Gabardine fabric, when researching the need for a weatherproof, durable yet stylish fabric for the growing outdoor lines. He wanted a fabric that was not only water resistant, but mildew and damp resistant as well. The result was the heavy and durable rain retardant fabric which would make his fortune.

The company's headquarters are still located in the same building as it was in 1890 – in the Haymarket, London - and ten years later the new fashion designer Burberry was commissioned to design and produce the new fashion uniforms for British soldiers. A long way from inventing water resistant fabric, suddenly he was a fashion designer – albeit to the military! Later South Pole and Antarctica explorers commissioned Burberry for weather gear for those expeditions, and the result was word of mouth advertising for the best all weather and in climate gear one could buy.

It is notable that Burberry also invented the trench coat, later made popular to civilians by the media and movie stars (like Humphrey Bogart) who wore the long, rain repellent coats in their movies.

The check…

The famous checkered pattern of the Burberry line, known as Nova, was originally used only for the lining of their jackets. Now it is recognized the world over at a glance. The famous designer brand Burberry handbag is carried by celebrities and the Burberry scarf is available for lightweight wear and the water resistant wrap for the fall/winter seasons. The Burberry official web site is simple and easy to navigate and the company has retailers and outlets across the globe.

© UK Fashion.com 2006