Thomas Burberry
(1835 - 1926)
Thomas Burberry was born on August 27, 1835 in Surrey, England. At the age of twenty-one he opened a draper's shop in Basingstoke, Hampshire which bore the name T. Burberry & Sons. In the beginning his works were inspired by the clothing worn by the local people.
Burberry discovered a fabric woven from Egyptian cotton that was waterproof. He would name the fabric gabardine cloth, reviving the existing term for coat or cloak. His application of this fabric would bring him world wide recognition when he began to advertise his new product in the trade journal Men's Wear June 1904, described then as a garment that would resist hot and cold winds, rains or thorns and would make an ideal coat for the coldest of climates.
In 1891, Burberry opened a wholesale store on Haymarket which still exists as it's headquarters today. One of its most popular garments was the smock-like "Walking Burberry,” cut on straight, easy-fitting lines with a fly-front fastening and raglan sleeves. In 1900, the British War Office commissioned Burberry to design an overcoat to replace the heavy coats in existence at that time. During World War I Burberry designed coats for the British Royal Flying Corps. It was a lightweight cotton raincoat with a deep back yoke, epaulets, buckled cuff straps, a button-down storm flap on one shoulder, and storm pockets. It also incorporated D-ring belt clasps, for the attachment of military gear. The military style model of the Burberry became the trench-coat. In 1902, Burberry established “Gabardine” as a trademark; and in 1909 “The Burberry” was registered as a trademark for the company’s coats. In 1904, Burberry registered his logo, and in 1924 his trademark’s “check” fabric. In 1932, Burberry pioneered the department store concession devoted exclusively to the sale of Burberry’s goods: menswear and a womenswear line that had been added in 1909.
Thomas Burberry founder of Burberry which, has become one of the largest branded clothing businesses in the United Kindom died in April 4, 1926. In 1998, American Rose Marie Bravo was appointed Burberry's chief executive. Bravo previously was the president of the American retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. Bravo revived Burberry and expanded its products from baby buggies and handbags to bikinis in the famous Burberry plaid. Womenswear and accessories became a new target and Bravo hired Roberto Menichetti as design director. In 2001, Menichetti was suceeded by Christopher Bailey, who had previously been womenswear designer at Gucci since 1996. Bailey's was charged with reinforcing the company's British heritage.
