Burberry celebrates 170 years by putting one of fashion’s most recognisable pieces in the spotlight.
The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon brings together rare pieces from the Burberry Archive and the V&A collection, tracing the garment’s transformation from practical military outerwear to a global fashion icon. The display is divided into three sections — Invention, Craft and Creativity — highlighting the design decisions and technical details that made the trench so enduring.
Visitors can discover the history of Thomas Burberry’s cotton gabardine, alongside construction details including the hand-finished collar, storm flap, detachable throat latch and signature check lining. The exhibition also features archive catalogues being shown publicly for the first time and a Burberry trench once worn by designer Hardy Amies.
The final section presents 19 runway looks from the past 25 years, including designs by Christopher Bailey and Daniel Lee, showing how the trench continues to evolve through new silhouettes, materials and styling. A ceiling inspired by John Constable’s painting of Hampstead Heath adds another distinctly British reference to the display.
📍 V&A South Kensington, Prince Consort Gallery, London
📅 21 September 2026 – 3 January 2027
🎟️ Free admission
