Burberry Prorsum’s ever-so-democratic principles reached new heights this season, with the public the first to see the fashion house’s spring/summer 2016 collection. For 24 hours before Burberry’s show at London Fashion Week, users of the messaging app Snapchat received brief glimpses of the collection ahead of fashion editors and the celebrities on the front row, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne.

It’s the latest in many fresh developments, including a partnership with Apple Music showcasing Burberry’s collaborations with British talent. There was Alison Moyet, performing with a large orchestra and setting the mood for designer Christopher Bailey’s dark, romantic spring-summer 2016 collection.

On the catwalk there were black military peacoats, trenches and capes gilded with regimental buttons, braiding and gold bullion embroidery. These were slipped over slithery satin and lace dresses that seemed to blend all the seasons into one. Much of the collection was, surprisingly, head-to-toe black, the exceptions being some pretty white vintage gowns and a few thigh-grazing lemon or green banded lace dresses, anchored with sporty footwear.

The most surprising sight was the amount of gold decorating not just clothes, but shoes, shoulder bag chains and the new Burberry nylon backpack, which is set to be next season’s must-have accessory.