Burberry and V&A Unveil Trench Coat Exhibition

Burberry and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) have announced a forthcoming free exhibition titled 'The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon,' scheduled to open at V&A South Kensington on September 21, 2026. This exhibition marks Burberry's 170th anniversary and will run until January 3, 2027. The display is housed within the Prince Consort Gallery, a space known for its mahogany fittings, and is organized into three thematic sections: Invention, Craft, and Creativity. The "Invention" section delves into the origins of the trench coat, specifically highlighting Thomas Burberry's 1879 innovation of cotton gabardine. This weatherproof fabric is recognized as the foundational element that established the garment's functional design. The "Craft" section will focus on the distinctive structural details that define the Burberry trench coat. These elements include meticulously hand-finished collars, the iconic House Check lining, storm flaps designed for protection, and detachable throat latches, all contributing to the coat's enduring appeal and functionality. The "Creativity" section celebrates the evolution of the trench coat through fashion, presenting 19 runway looks from the past 25 years. These looks showcase reinterpretations of the classic design by prominent Chief Creative Officers Daniel Lee and Christopher Bailey, illustrating the garment's adaptability across different design eras. In addition to the runway pieces, the exhibition will feature a selection of unseen archival artifacts. These include early 20th-century catalogues that offer insight into the brand's historical marketing and product offerings, as well as a personal Burberry car coat that was once worn by the renowned British fashion designer Hardy Amies. The exhibition aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the trench coat's journey from its functional beginnings to its status as a fashion icon. This event is part of a broader, multi-year partnership between Burberry and the V&A, which will also see the opening of The Burberry Gallery in Fall 2028. The V&A, located in South Kensington, London, is one of the world's leading museums of art and design, housing a vast collection spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity. Burberry, a British luxury fashion house founded in 1856, is renowned for its iconic trench coats, distinctive check pattern, and commitment to innovation in fabric technology.