Burberry has always been quintessentially British and, at least music wise, what is more English than punk? The anger, the attitude, the colours, the leather and the studs: Christopher Bailey went all Johnny Rotten this season, and it suited him. Not that there many suits – the focus was on two outerwear garments; the trench coat, as per usual, and biker jackets. Both came heavily accessorised. The trench coats had leather and buckle details while most biker jackets were decorated with studs.
Swaggering down the catwalk, the Burberry models were mostly wearing black leather trousers to complete the rock ‘n’ roll look. Because that’s what it was, pure attitude, and one that fits the new check empire. There weren’t actually any of those around, though. But quilted jackets, short-sleeved safari jackets, and double-breasted coats kept the spirit alive.
For the more flamboyant ones among us (and there were quite a few young musicians on both the catwalk and in the audience) there were plenty of swanky outfits to choose between. White and black mesh tank tops under jackets and waist coats covered in over sized round and square studs, and evenings jackets in a beautiful midnight blue will keep even the most picky stage divas happy…
Dazed Digital: What was the main inspiration?
Christopher Bailey: I found this incredible book in our archives that was full of biker images and it seems that Thomas Burberry had started working on biker clothes in the early 1900’s and that started the whole the leather, biker stud theme.
DD: How would you sum the collection up?
Christopher Bailey: I wanted it to be about heritage bikers, and making a tough but timeless collection.
DD: Quite warm for a Spring Summer collection, no?
Christopher Bailey: Well, I think outerwear have more and more become something that people wear indoor because clothes are now more casual and can be worn in many more different situations.