A ladies' Burberry handbag in the company's trademarked check pattern

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Burberry

Burberry is a UK-based outfitter, manufacturing clothing and other apparel. Its distinctive check pattern has become one of its most widely copied trademarks. The company has branded stores and franchises around the world, and also sells through concessions in third party stores. more...

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It also runs a catalogue business and has a fragrance line. Both HM Queen Elizabeth and HRH The Prince of Wales have granted the company Royal Warrants. Today, Burberry's trademark products are its fashionable handbags and exclusive fragrances. The current Design Director is Christopher Bailey.

Early years

Burberry was founded in 1856 when 21-year-old Thomas Burberry, a former draper's apprentice, opened his own store in Basingstoke, Hampshire. By 1870 the business had established itself by focusing on the development of outdoors attire. In 1880 Thomas Burberry invented gabardine, a hardwearing, water-resistant, yet breathable fabric, in which the yarn is waterproofed before weaving. A patent was taken out for this in 1888.

In 1891 Thomas Burberry opened an emporium in the Haymarket, London, which still stands today and now contains the company's headquarters. Ten years later, the company was commissioned by the War Office to design a new service uniform for British officers. In 1904, the Burberry Equestrian Knight Logo was developed and registered as a trademark. They also became the outfitters for Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole, and Ernest Shackleton, who lead a 1914 expedition to cross Antarctica.

When World War I broke out in Europe, Burberry invented the trench coat by modifying its military designs to suit the conditions of British contemporary warfare. After the war, the trenchcoat became popular with civilians. Over the years, it has been popularized by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther films, and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Burberry also specially designed aviation garments. A. E. Clouston and Mrs Betsy Kirby Green made the fastest flying time to Cape Town from London in 1937 and were sponsored by Burberry.

The Burberry Check

The red, white, black, and peach check, known as the 'Nova,' was first used as a lining for their trenchcoat in 1924. It wasn't until as late as 1967 that the Burberry Check, now a registered trademark, was widely used on its own for items including umbrellas, scarves and luggage.

UK image problems and revitalisation

During the 1970s, the brand became popular with the British football casual cult, leading to it to being associated with chavs, hooligans and members of football firms by the 1990s. The brand became something of a national joke, particularly when actress Danniella Westbrook was photographed with her young daughter wearing matching Burberry outfits .