London Fashion Week SS21 Officially Kicks Off with Burberry

While the idea of a virtual London Fashion Week may lack a certain live audience ‘buzz’, the organisers, the British Fashion Council, astutely opted to open with British brand powerhouse Burberry.

Chief creative officer, Riccardo Tisci, and his team presented the Burberry SS21 collection ‘In Bloom’ via a powerful live performance that could be viewed through the livestreaming platform Twitch. Set in a woodland clearing surrounded by towering pine trees and birdsong Burberry clad models showcased the brand’s latest designs.

Of course, that wasn’t all, there was plenty of additional narrative as Tisci’s collaboration with installation artist Anne Imhof would reveal. Suited bodyguards would often accompany the models, performers in white would represent the ebb and flow of the ocean and outfits would come with hazard labels: ‘Swim with the great Burberry shark at your own risk!’ All of this and more was being discussed in the accompanying Twitch live chat function.

So what about the clothes? Pan back and the overall view of the collection is in a statement colour palette of all-white, bold orange, azure blue, taupe and black. Burberry classics, such as the trench, were reworked with new details, colours and prints. Wearable designs were personalised with intricate hand drawn illustrations, beaded net overlays and bold Burberry logos. In a very British sense design was combined with practically with some party girl sparkle and sea and shark references thrown in.

On the collection Tisci said: ‘As humans, we have always had a deep affinity to nature. We have had to respect and rely upon its power for our very existence, whilst marvelling and revelling in its extraordinary beauty. Especially recently, we have all yearned to reconnect again. For this show, I wanted to celebrate these feelings by bringing our community together in a creative experience that takes place within the beautiful, natural landscape of Britain.’

With ‘In Bloom’ Tisci hit the nail on the head with both the design and the presentation reflecting the current mood perfectly.

Visit the Burberry website to view the show.