At just 21 years old, Thomas Burberry opened his first store with a vision to create durable outdoor clothing. His breakthrough came in 1879 with the invention of gabardine, a breathable, weather-resistant cotton fabric. This innovation revolutionized rainwear and laid the foundation for Burberry's reputation.

The brand's practicality and style soon caught royal attention—in 1891, Burberry received its first royal warrant from Queen Victoria as an official outfitter for military officers.

The Birth of an Icon: The Trench Coat

Burberry's most legendary creation emerged during World War I when the company adapted its weatherproof coats for British military personnel. Features like D-rings (for holding grenades), epaulettes (for rank insignia), and storm flaps became signature elements of what we now know as the Burberry trench coat.

Post-war, the trench coat transitioned into civilian fashion, adorning Hollywood stars like Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn—cementing its status as a cultural icon.

From Check Pattern to Digital Pioneer

Burberry's distinctive Nova Check, introduced in the 1920s as a lining pattern, became a status symbol. Though controversially overused in the 2000s, creative director Christopher Bailey (2001-2018) rebalanced the brand's heritage with innovation under the "Art of the Trench"

Notably, Burberry became a digital frontrunner

Modern Reinvention and Sustainability