Christopher Bailey's Last Burberry Show Just Took Place, and It Was Emotional

It was easy to predict that Christopher Bailey's final Burberry show would be an emotional peak of February's London Fashion Week. The designer is loved across the industry, and his longstanding tenure at the British heritage brand has seen global growth and many an It piece (anyone else remember those blanket scarves with great fondness?), but the swan song started quite simply with a heartfelt Instagram post just a few days prior. "My final collection here at Burberry is dedicated to and in support of—some of the best and brightest organizations supporting LGBTQ+ youth around the world. There has never been a more important time to say that in our diversity lies our strength and our creativity," said Bailey upon launching a new house check that features a rainbow woven in. The simple visual of a swatch pinned onto the invite set the tone, leading to a blazing all-out celebration of inclusivity. Keep reading to see how that came to life.

THE SETTING

burberry-spring-2018-show-249554-1518894094171-main

(Image credit: Getty Images; PICTURED: Burberry catwalk)

A darkened warehouse space took industry members and celebrities totally off the normal grid—way out West and on the surprising doorstep of Westfield mall. Swinging spotlights moved to the music—either dancing or perhaps swaying in a sort of faux wind machine, slicing through a cloud of smoke to bring further drama to the occasion. The Burberry check–clad crowd could only really be seen as they filtered into the building—after that point, it was a more private affair, thanks to the mood lighting. Emotive dance-era tunes filled the space, starting with "Runaway" building up to a laser-beam extravaganza set to "Don't Leave Me This Way" for the finale.

THE CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES

burberry-spring-2018-show-249554-1518895095304-image

(Image credit: Getty Images; PICTURED: Burberry Spring 2018 Collection)

The generation that partied when clubbing felt new and essential, when punks, mods, ravers and new-age hippies were moving in unusually similar circles, when surf culture was building and accessible travel broadening minds… they are the crowd that would understand many of the reference points Bailey pulled together for his version of luxury streetwear. Baja hoodies were worn over ballgown skirts. Shellsuit jackets were thrown on with zero sense of irony. All the fabrics and visual codes you'd associate with the time—fleece, tie-dye, graffiti, crafty knits, nylon—were all present in one form or another, with our money being placed first onto the Burberry-emblazoned sling bags being a smash. They will be closely followed by the patchworked trench coats and heritage-check visors, if this dedicated group is anything to go by. It was all or nothing for the designer's last turn, and he definitely turned up the nostalgia dial to the point where we were practically back in time.

It was the range of rainbow options at the very end of the show that will undoubtedly secure the most Instagram coverage of all—who could resist Cara Delevingne (pictured above) swooping down the runway in a technicolour dream coat? A little rainbow mesh market bag is the more casual route in, but the aforementioned rainbow/check hybrid will certainly become a part of Bailey's legacy. More than the literal symbol of inclusivity, you couldn't help but sense the gender fluidity of the entire collection—the boys kilt-trousers will no doubt be snapped up by women, every hoodie and jacket bore no stereotypical signs of being destined for a particular sex and more often than not, all the models wore similar sneakers.

THE BURBERRY FAN CLUB

burberry-spring-2018-show-249554-1518895633031-image

(Image credit: Getty Images; PICTURED: Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Adwoa Aboah, Bee Shaffer and Anna Wintour)

Christopher has gathered quite a loyal following over the years—Anna Wintour, Kate Moss, Alexa Chung and Sienna Miller were all in attendance to support, along with the biggest audience of international editors any one show can house during the LFW circuit. The runway models that have been part of the brand’s family for some time were also present, with current campaign frontrunner and all-around brilliant Brit, Adwoa Aboah opening the show. The finale ended in a standing ovation when Bailey took his bow—praise indeed for a few hundred people with sore feet at the end of a busy day.

WHAT WE WILL BUY FROM THE SEE-NOW, BUY-NOW COLLECTION

Because Burberry acts on a see-now, buy-now basis, we thought it was only kind to offer you our shopping list.

Related: Summer 2018 Fashion Trends: The Only Looks You Need to Know

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the editor in chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.

Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.