Explore the history of Thomas Burberry and the technical innovation behind his 1856 Basingstoke start, evolving from a draper's apprentice to a fashion pioneer.

Burberry wasn't born out of a desire for 'luxury' in the way we think of it now—it was born out of technical innovation and a need for protection.
History of Burberry







Thomas Burberry was a former draper’s apprentice who founded his namesake company in 1856 in Basingstoke, Hampshire. At just twenty-one years old, he viewed the unpredictable British weather as a business opportunity rather than a nuisance. His vision was to create clothing that acted as a literal shield against the elements, focusing on technical innovation and protection rather than the modern concept of luxury fashion.
In the mid-1800s, the standard waterproof option was the rubberized mackintosh, which Thomas Burberry found to be cumbersome and non-breathable, essentially acting like a wearable sauna. Burberry sought to outsmart the clouds by tinkering with fabrics to create a superior alternative. His goal was to move away from heavy, uncomfortable materials toward technical innovations that offered protection from the rain without sacrificing the wearer's comfort or breathability.
The brand's heritage is rooted in the idea of the 'fabric of protection.' Thomas Burberry spent years experimenting with textiles to solve the problem of rain-drenched British weather. This focus on utility and technical advancement led to the development of garments like the trench coat. Unlike other high-fashion moguls of his time, Burberry’s work began in a humble Hampshire setting driven by the practical need for breathable, weather-resistant clothing.
Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
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