Models walked on a rain-soaked runway underneath the exposed beams of a structure meant to re-create Tower Bridge – one of London’s most famous landmarks – mid-construction. The actual bridge, beautifully lit up against the night sky, was visible from a distance as guests approached the venue.
Garments with shiny surfaces such as liquid pants in shimmering velvet, trench coats in shiny reflective fabrics and fur coats with glittering embellishments evoked wet asphalt and puddled streets.
Burberry’s chief creative officer Daniel Lee cleverly reinterpreted the brand’s signature check in a couple of furry bomber jackets. Leather jumpsuits and sensible outerwear, including a coat featuring a print of the London map, rounded out the predominantly dark collection, which could have done with a little bit more drama.
Lee is more than capable of creating some drama when he sets his mind to it. The stunning Burberry trench coat gown that actress Teyana Taylor wore at the 2026 BAFTAs in London the night before the show was a great example of that.
When Lee took over Burberry in 2023, he was tasked with upgrading the brand’s offerings. His mandate now seems to be to go back to Burberry’s roots and champion its British heritage.
This season’s homage to London’s notoriously dreary weather did just that and is likely to please the powers that be at Burberry, including CEO Joshua Schulman.