Meet the British designer brand Burberry: creator of the iconic checkered print that was even recognized by royalty!
Burberry is an important British luxury brand, founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, who began his career with the objective of developing clothing that protected them against the weather specific to England. The brand stood out for creating gabardine, a waterproof and comfortable fabric that revolutionized the making of raincoats.
Throughout its history, Burberry has not only established itself as a fashion brand, but also as a a reference in innovation and marketing. In fact, part of its visual identity is the checkered print. The brand was also a pioneer in several initiatives, such as live broadcasting of fashion shows.
So, let’s find out a little more about this British luxury brand? Stay with us!
How did Burberry come about?
Burberry was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberrya young man of just 21 years old, in Basingstoke, England. From the beginning, the brand stood out for creating clothes that protected against the unstable British climate, which led to the invention of gabardine, a resistant and waterproof fabric.
Brand consolidation and expansion
Over the years, the brand consolidated its image through iconic productssuch as the trench coat, and the introduction of the Burberry Check check pattern, which has become a globally recognized symbol.
Over time, Burberry expanded its presence in the luxury fashion marketdiversifying its products to include accessories, perfumes and cosmetics. The brand has become one of the most valuable in the world, being ranked in 2014 as 73rd on the list of Best Global Brands Interbrand leather.
Finally, with the leadership of Christopher Bailey, who took over as CEO in 2014, it was marked by a significant increase in sales and appreciation of the company’s sharesreflecting a well-developed investment and expansion strategy in the competitive fashion sector.
What are Burberry’s characteristics and identity?
The British luxury brand stands out for its rich heritage and truly striking visual identity. Founded in 1856, the brand is highly recognized for its iconic checkerboard pattern, which has become a global symbol of status and sophistication.
The print, which initially served as a lining, was boldly introduced into external pieces, consolidating Burberry’s image as a major fashion reference. Furthermore, the trench coat, developed from an innovative fabric called gabardine, is one of the brand’s most emblematic creations, reflecting its ability to combine functionality and style.
A identity is rooted in British values such as tradition, innovation and a strong connection to nature. The brand has positioned itself as a company that not only creates fashion, but also tells stories, reflecting British culture and history in its collections.
Therefore, currently, Burberry has been exploring new aesthetics, always maintaining a dialogue with your past. In fact, this is also one of its very important characteristics.
What are Burberry’s main products and pieces?
Among its main products are the iconic trench coats, which are synonymous with the brand, as well as a wide range of apparel that includes clothes for men, women and children. The brand also offers a selection of accessories, such as bags and shoes.
In addition to clothes and accessories, It is worth remembering that Burberry also stands out in the fragrance marketwith perfumes that are very popular and have female and male versions.
9 interesting facts about Burberry
1- First physical store
One of the very interesting facts about this brand is that the first physical store was only opened years later of its creation, more precisely 35 years. The store was named after Thomas Burberry & Sons.
2- Public competition to create the brand’s slogan
Thomas Burberry, founder of the luxury brand, held a public competition in 1901 to create a new logo for the company. The winning design, inspired by armor from the 13th and 14th centuries from the Wallace Collection in London, became the iconic Equestrian Knight that still represents the brand today.
3- First designer store to broadcast its fashion show in 2010
This innovative initiative not only expanded the company’s reach, allowing a global audience to watch the event in real time, but also distributed a new standard in the fashion industryintegrating technology and fashion in a pioneering way.
4- Number of stores in the world
The renowned British designer brand has more than 500 stores spread across around the world, with a presence in 85 countries, including 6 stores in Brazil.
5- Possui três Royal Warrant of Appointment
A title granted by the British Royal Family in recognition of the brand’s quality and relevance. THE first title was granted in 1955 by Queen Elizabeth II, as a Royal guarantee to Burberry as a producer of water-resistant pieces.
6- Has a charity institution
Burberry has a strong presence in social responsibility through the Burberry Foundation, a independent charity which aims to support social and environmental causes. The brand is a partner with OnSide, which offers safe and creative spaces for young people, which is essential to promote their development and empowerment.
7- Very active in environmental issues
The brand has set very ambitious goals for 2040, seeking to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations and supply chain. Furthermore, Burberry is committed to promote biodiversity and the circular economycollaborating with initiatives such as the partnership with Elvis & Kresse, which works with recovered materials, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, focused on sustainable practices. That’s incredible, right?
8- First designer store to offer product sales after the fashion show
We’ve already noticed that innovation is its own thing, right? This strategy allowed the brand to connect faster with consumers and meet the immediate demand for its products, especially in a digital context where trends spread more quickly.
9- It was a highly successful brand in the 60s
Finally, we cannot fail to mention its great prominence in the 60s. In fact, for every 5 coats sold, at least 1 was Burberry.
During this period, the brand stood out not only for its quality and innovation, but also for its ability to adapt to emerging fashion trendsattracting a different clientele.
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