What a finale it was, inducing nostalgia with signature capsules of the ‘80s and ‘90s, whilst celebrating the present through pieces promoting diversity.
In his 17 years at Burberry, Christopher Bailey has achieved many great feats. From elevating the brand’s digital presence through innovative campaigns to pioneering its see-now-buy-now concept and launching Burberry Acoustic in support of emerging music talents, Bailey has become a name that’s synonymous with the British fashion house.
It is only apt then, that the grand finale of his long tenure should be titled “Time” – reflecting on its past, present and future. And what a finale it was, inducing nostalgia with signature capsules of the ‘80s and ‘90s, whilst celebrating the present through pieces promoting diversity.
“It’s quite a poignant collection just because it’s my last one, but it made me start thinking about the importance of time,” Bailey said. “I think we are living in such an interesting period, chaotic and upsetting and changing. I wanted to try and reflect that in some way in the collection.”
True to his words, the collection saw a mix of the house’s iconic check designs, British street-style sweatshirts, parkas and shell suits. But it’s the key element that strikes a chord with him on an emotional level: rainbows – the symbolism of LGBTQ pride – flooding dresses, jackets, bags, hats and shoes, as well as the brand’s logo printed on T-shirts.
Closing the show is Cara Delevingne in a floor-sweeping shearling cape, making a comeback to the runway as tribute to the man who discovered her talent, and as an advocate for the LGBTQ cause.
With a show as momentous as this, it could only be that “Burberry’s best days are still ahead of her” – as Bailey stated last October.
See the collection below.
Images: Courtesy of Burberry