Christopher Bailey closes the curtain on his Burberry days in spectacular fashion
A rainbow hued swan song.
[U]ndoubtedly the pinnacle of this season’s London Fashion Week, today marked the culmination of a 17-year career for Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, as he took his final bow for the company that he first joined in 2001 as design director. But what a swan song it was. Held in the historic Dimco Buildings in Shepherd’s Bush the show was imbued with that same history, drawing on Bailey’s Burberry over his illustrious career. There was heritage, there was newness, and there were even a few tears.
Earlier this week it was announced that Burberry’s iconic check had been made over with the rainbow flag to support the LGBT community, but the colour didn’t stop there. Alongside an array of rainbow hued pieces –including a number of puffer jackets that will be sure fire sellout – the finale was illuminated by laser lights that made up the LGBT flag, as Cara Delevingne made her runway return in a rainbow striped cape. Elsewhere in the collection the rainbow stripe appeared waterfalling down skirts, while in nods to Bailey’s past there were shirts made from a mish mash of previous season prints, cardigans and trainers worn with flowing evening skirts and Burberry check tracksuits, caps and bags. British streetwear met with eccentric glamour, perfectly summing up Bailey’s ability to translate the idiosyncrasies of British life into and low something uniquely his own. It was the past meets the present as we all speculate on his future, but a reminder that, while he has no current plans to pursue other brands, he is still the designer with the Midas touch.
Continuing their see now buy now ethos this season Burberry partnered with online fashion giants Farfetch who will be working around the clock to bring customers pieces straight from the runway in record time – reminding us that while Bailey may be exiting Burberry is still a brand with their eye firmly on the future. Get in early to nab your own piece of fashion history.