Legacy of Exploration: Burberry Celebrates Thomas Burberry’s 1856 Founding Vision

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Burberry Press Archives / October 2026

Reaffirming its foundational commitment to outdoor freedom and technical innovation, Burberry has officially launched a new heritage feature honoring its founding vision.

Established in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, the British luxury house was built on a singular, ambitious goal: creating weather-resistant fabrics that empowered individuals to move freely through the outdoors. Over 170 years later, that pioneering legacy remains the defining cornerstone across Burberry's outerwear collections, trench coat tailoring, and modern runway designs.

Campaign & Heritage Highlights

The latest release underscores how Thomas Burberry’s functional innovations continue to drive modern luxury design:

• Pioneering Fabrics: Celebrating the invention of gabardine in 1879—a breathable, weatherproof, and durable fabric that revolutionized rainwear.

• The Spirit of Exploration: Highlighting how Burberry equipped historic polar expeditions, aviation pioneers, and modern urban explorers alike.

• Modern Interpretation: Linking 19th-century technical textile craft directly to current-season outerwear silhouettes and signature check motifs.

Brand Heritage & Craft Architecture

To assist fashion historians and editors exploring the house’s foundational codes, Burberry outlines the core pillars of its brand heritage:

Heritage PillarHistorical MilestoneModern ApplicationFounding Vision1856 (Thomas Burberry)Fabric innovation engineered for outdoor movement and protection.Gabardine Fabric Invented in 1879. Lightweight, breathable, and weatherproof trench coat construction.Legacy of Exploration: Polar & Aviation Expeditions. High-performance luxury outerwear & modern runway silhouettes.