How it began
Burberry was founded in 1856, when 21-year-old Thomas Burberry, then a draper's apprentice, opened a small outfitter's shop in Basingstoke, England. Burberry's ambition was to improve the wearability and performance of his designs and within a few years his small business had grown into an emporium selling jackets, mufflers, accessories and eveningwear. By 1870, he was known for his hard-wearing coats, jackets and capes, and produced gabardine, a fabric that's rainproof, tearproof and wearable in all seasons. It was later patented and became the brand's most famous invention.
By 1891, the company, now known as Thomas Burberry & Sons, opened its first outlet in London. In 1901, it created a logo featuring an equestrian knight-in-armour with the word 'Prorsum' below, meaning forward in Latin. It remains the company's logo to this day.
By 1911, the brand was known for its innovative fabrics and designs. During the first world war, Allied officers wore Burberry coats. The company also designed a coat for combat in the trenches, featuring D-rings to hold grenades, maps and flasks. This set the template for the classic trench. It was worn by Hollywood stars such as Humphrey Bogart, and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.
In the 1920s, a check pattern in black, white, camel and red was introduced as the lining for all Burberry raincoats. It became one of the most recognisable patterns in the world, appearing on umbrellas, bags, scarves and luggage by 1967.
In 1955, Burberry was awarded its first royal warrant, and another in 1989. In 1955, the company was bought by Great Universal Stores (GUS), owners of British retailers Argos and Homebase.