TAKE A BOW

An impressive 66 runway shows, over 1,000 looks and more than 50 campaigns through 17 years of Christopher Bailey’s visionary leadership has elevated Burberry from an antiquated coat maker into one of the world’s top luxury houses. Along the way, the Yorkshire lad cut the brand’s links with the chav culture, transformed the utilitarian trench coat into a fashion must-have with The Art of the Trench, established an association with music by repping both established and emerging talents through runway shows and Burberry Acoustic. Bailey was also among the first in fashion to embrace technology, which put the brand ahead of its peers. So it’s no wonder when he decided to call it a day, he delivered a fantastic farewell.

A bevy of 84 models including past and present campaign stars Adwoa Aboah and Edie Campbell presented his last co-ed collection walking through a multisensory installation merging movement, light and sound by the

United Visual Artists (UVA).

While Time reflected his tenure and his hopes for the future as he celebrated the present, the show wasn’t all about Bailey. He shared the spotlight with international LGBTQ+ communities, adopting the rainbow for his last take on the iconic check. Burberry also lent support with a new philanthropic programme to promote diversity around the world, and cemented its commitment to LGBTQ+ communities with donations to charities.

An international symbol for optimisim and inclusiveness, the joyful rainbow turned up as a spellbinding laser light spectacle to cap off the rousing finale.

— CHRISTOPHER BAILEY “My final collection here at Burberry is dedicated to — in support of — some of the best and brightest organisations supporting the LGBTQ+ youth around the world. There has never been a more important time to saythat in our diversity lies our strength, and our creativity.”