Clothing line established in the UK in 1856 by Thomas Burberry. Burberry invented gabardine fabric, and for many years the trench coat was the mainstay of the Burberry business:
The notoriously conservative manufacturer stuck primarily to its well-known raincoats until the 1960s, when a fluke led Burberry to capitalize on the garments’ trademark tan, black, red, and white plaid lining. It all started with a window display at the company’s Paris store. The shop’s manager spiced up her arrangement of trench coats by turning up the hem of one coat to show off its checked lining, then repeated the check on an array of umbrellas. The clamor for the umbrellas was so immediate and compelling that Burberry’s made and quickly sold hundreds.1
The rest, as they say, is history: today the famous Burberry check pattern adorns everything from umbrellas to cashmere scarves to dog leashes. In the meantime, creative director Christopher Bailey transformed Burberry into an upscale designer label. He left the company in 2018, after 17 years and was replaced by designer Riccardo Tisci, formerly of Givenchy, who was followed by Daniel Lee in late 2022.
Burberry's fragrance business was licensed to Inter Parfums through 2012. In early 2013 the brand announced they would be developing fragrance in-house. In 2017, the license went to Coty.
The first fragrance, Burberry for men, debuted in 1981. Other well-known early scents include Weekend and Touch (2000). Burberry Brit, introduced in 2003, was a huge success, and was followed by Brit Red, Brit Gold, Brit for men and Brit Anniversary Edition.
Recent fragrance releases from Burberry
2006: Burberry London, Burberry London for men
2007: Burberry Summer, Burberry Brit Sheer
2008: Burberry The Beat, Burberry London Special Edition, The Beat For Men
2010: Burberry Sport for women, Burberry Sport for men, Burberry Summer 2010, Burberry Brit Limited Edition
2011: Burberry Sport Ice, Burberry Summer 2011, Burberry Body
2012: Brit Summer Edition, Brit Summer for Men, Body Tender
2013: Burberry Summer 2013, Burberry Brit Rhythm
2014: Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her, My Burberry
2015: Brit Rhythm Floral for Her & Brit Rhythm Intense for Him, Brit Splash
2016: Mr. Burberry, My Burberry Black
2017: Burberry Bespoke High Tide, Amber Heath, Tudor Rose, Hawthorn Bloom, Garden Roses, Antique Oak & Wild Thistle, My Burberry Blush, My Burberry Black Elixir De Parfum
2018: Mr. Burberry Indigo, Burberry Her
2019: Burberry Her Blossom, Burberry Her Intense, Ivy Musk & Clary Sage
Where to buy
Burberry fragrances can be found at major department stores, or online at the various fragrance discounters.
Website
Further reading
See all articles on Now Smell This tagged Burberry, or take a look at our collection of Burberry fragrance commercials.
Read Christopher Bailey: Burberry's golden boy at the UK Times Online.
1. Via International Directory of Company Histories.