In 1856, a young draper’s apprentice named Thomas Burberry began a journey that would transform outerwear forever. Observing the struggle of those facing Britain’s relentless weather in heavy, stifling coats, he envisioned something different — a fabric that would shield from the rain yet allow freedom and breathability.

Driven by this idea, Burberry founded his namesake house and spent decades refining his craft. In 1879, his pursuit culminated in the invention of gabardine — a tightly woven, weather-resistant fabric that redefined functional elegance.

The innovation soon reached the farthest corners of the world. In 1893, Norwegian explorer Dr. Fridtjof Nansen wore Burberry fabrics on his Arctic expedition, followed by Sir Ernest Shackleton, who relied on Burberry gabardine during his legendary polar journeys. From the misty streets of London to the frozen edge of the earth, Burberry became a symbol of endurance, exploration, and timeless British design.