Thomas Burberry

Thomas Burberry, founder of international chain Burberry, one of the most famous branded clothing businesses in the world, is also known as the inventor of gabardine.

Thomas Burberry was born on August 27, 1835 to an ordinary family in Dorking, Surrey, UK. At a young age, Mr. Burberry started working as an apprentice to a local draper. He opened his first outfitter in Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1856 when he was 21 years old as a budding entrepreneur. The store, called T. Burberry and Sons, became thriving soon. In the beginning his designs were inspired by the clothing worn by the local people. Later, Mr. Burberry focused more on the development of outdoor wear for regulars such as local residents and visiting sportsmen.

In 1879, young former draper's assistant Thomas Burberry discovered gabardine, a tough, tightly-woven and water-resistant fabric made from Egyptian cotton through an innovative process. This fabric was not only water-resistant but also extremely durable. He took out a patent to protect this invention in 1888. He became world-famous when he began to advertise his new product made from this fabric in the trade journal Men's Wear in June 1904. The fabric was then known as a material that would resist hot and cold winds, rains or thorns and would make an ideal coat for the coldest of climates.

In 1891, Mr. Burberry established a wholesale store at Haymarket which still exists as Burberry's corporate headquarters today. One of the business’ most popular garments was the smock-like "Walking Burberry,” cut on straight, easy-fitting lines with a fly-front fastening and raglan sleeves.

In 1900, the British War Office required Mr. Burberry to design an overcoat to replace their heavy coats. During World War I Burberry designed coats for the British Royal Flying Corps (later the RAF). It was a lightweight cotton raincoat with a deep back yoke, epaulets, buckled cuff straps, a button-down storm flap on one shoulder, storm pockets, and D-ring belt clasps for the attachment of military gear. The military style model of the Burberry later became the trench-coat. The success of Burberry's water-resistant fabric commanded the attention of the world. Using his own designs for officers' coats, Mr. Burberry added shoulder straps and metal rings to his gabardine coat, and the trench coat was born. After the war, the Trench coat was absorbed into civilian life. Known as a "Burberry" style, it has been copied worldwide.

The Burberry Equestrian Knight logo was designed and registered as a trademark in 1901. In 1902, "Gabardine" was established as a trademark and in 1909 the "Burberry" was registered as a trademark for the company's coats. The “Burberry Check”, registered as a trademark, was introduced as a lining to the trench coat in the 1920’s. In 1932, Burberry first started the department store concession devoted exclusively to the sale of Burberry’s goods: menswear and a womenswear line that was launched in 1909.

Mr. Burberry knew the importance of promotion and publicity and managed to have celebrities, such as Lord Kitchener and Lord Baden-Powell, wear his weatherproofs so as to enhance the visibility of his brand. By these means he developed his business into one of the United Kingdom's largest branded clothing businesses.

Thomas Burberry died at his home at Hook near Basingstoke in 1926 at the age of 91.

Today, the Burberry style is still a favorite of celebrities. Once Emma Watson said, “If I could wear any label forever it would be Burberry. It covers a huge span of stuff. You can't go wrong with a classic trench and a pair of jeans.”