Burberry Fall 2016 - Runway Review
February 23, 2016
Burberry made its customary dramatic impact on London Fashion Week with a show that was polished and full of shine. Christopher Bailey once again found new ways to reimagine the brand’s traditional strengths, transforming the trademark trench coat style into a variety of sparkly metallic looks that were anything but military in tone. Try rock chic.
There were military coats, of course, but they were made of cashmere — far more comfortable than anything worn on the Western Front way back when. There were trench coats, cape coats, tunics and regimental jackets, some in military blue with red piping, but the looks were feminine, not severe. The collection mixed motifs, often in one outfit: a military style tunic and cape worn over a beautifully made flapper dress that would have served well in a Chicago speakeasy.
Most impressive were some of the colorful sequined tops that shimmered with a metallic sheen on the catwalk and the patchwork skirted mini-dresses, some in floral patterns. Bailey made extensive use of green outerwear and dresses, but used a variety of subtle shades to make the colour most associated with military overcoats much more lighthearted. The lamé, Lurex and real metal yarns gave his silhouettes an insect-like iridescence.
