Here’s Everything You Need to Know About The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon Exhibition
Here's everything you need to know about The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon exhibition at V&A South Kensington, London.
Fashion14 August 2026 Words Syameen Salehaldin
This is the British way
In honour of Burberry’s 170th anniversary, the British fashion house is displaying archival items that trace the history of the Burberry trench from its origins as practical outerwear and military attire to a world-renowned fashion icon. The exhibition will also offer snippets of Burberry’s codes, history, and sensibilities, and how they have defined an entire category of outerwear.
“As we mark 170 years of the house, we are thrilled to partner with the V&A to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Burberry trench coat—a global design icon rooted in British craftsmanship and a symbol of innovation, creativity and timeless style. A myriad of objects from the brand’s Archive will be publicly exhibited for the first time—from early 20th-century catalogues to a Burberry trench coat worn by fashion designer Hardy Amies,” said Carly Eck, brand curator for Burberry.
The exhibition will be housed in Victoria & Albert’s Prince Consort Gallery, a space rarely opened to the public that once stored textiles in its original mahogany cabinets. Visitors will trace the trench coat’s journey from a piece of functional military and outdoor wear to a global fashion icon associated with understated British style.
The display unfolds across three themes. “Invention” looks back to 1879, when Thomas Burberry patented cotton gabardine, the weatherproof fabric that gave the trench its practical edge and helped establish it as essential protective clothing. Next, we have “Craft”, which turns to the garment’s construction, examining signature details such as the hand-finished collar, the House Check lining, the storm flap, and the detachable throat latch—features designed to withstand harsh weather while defining the coat’s silhouette. The final section, “Creativity,” brings the story into the present with 19 runway looks spanning roughly 25 years, including designs from former chief creative officers Christopher Bailey and Daniel Lee.
Among the archival items going on public display for the first time is a trench coat once worn by designer Hardy Amies, alongside early 20th-century catalogues from the Burberry archive.
(Photo: V&A Gallery)
(Photo: V&A Gallery)
The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon, V&A South Kensington, London
When:
21 September – 3 January 2027
Where:
V&A South Kensington, London
Price:
Free to all
- Filed under
- Burberry
exhibitions
FASHION
trench coat
