The company, founded in 1856 by 21-year-old Thomas Burberry, was established to produce clothing to protect people from the British weather. In 1879 Thomas invented gabardine which was a hardwearing breathable and weatherproof fabric.

One of the first notable uses of a Burberry was by the Norwegian explorer Dr Fridtjof Nansen on his polar trip around the Arctic Circle in 1893.

Further promotion of the brand came in 1911 when the company became the outfitters for Roald Amundson (first to reach the South Pole) and Ernest Shackleton (1914 expedition to cross Antarctica).

In 1924 George Mallory wore a Burberry gabardine jacket on his attempt on Mount Everest.

During the First World War Burberry created the Burberry trench coat specially designed for use in the trenches.

In the 1920s Burberry patented the Burberry check used for the lining of their coats.

In 1955 Burberry receive their Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth (as a weatherproofer) while in 1990 they are granted a Royal Warrant by Prince Charles as an outfitter.

In 1999 Burberry’s is rebranded as BURBERRY.