A Grand British Escape, Recut for Now

February 26, 2025

BURBERRY’S LATEST CHAPTER unfolded at the Tate Britain, London in grand, layered strokes — like an English countryside novel, but with sharper tailoring and a much groovier cast. Think faded country house opulence meets Londoner-on-the-run, wrapped up in trench coats reimagined in embossed leather and tapestry jacquards. FW25 made one thing certain — Daniel Lee is steering Burberry with confidence.

Channelling the great ‘Friday night exodus’— when city dwellers flee to stately homes and rolling countryside estates — Lee spun the runway into a rich tapestry of textures, history, and effortless British eccentricity. Aristocratic tropes got a playful shake-up: velvet brocade jackets echoing flocked wallpaper, pheasant prints reimagined as feathered trims and silk pyjama sets that belonged more in a grand drawing room than a bedroom. As for outerwear? Burberry’s bread and butter. Capes, shearling, and jacquard-weave trenches held court, with an undercurrent of the brand’s heritage reshaped for now.

Now, to the casting. Forget just models — this was a full-blown cinematic moment, with actors and industry icons bringing serious star power to the mix. Richard E. Grant exuded his signature old-world charm in a richly textured olive trench, looking every bit the dapper country gentleman. Lesley Manville brought an air of quiet regality in a jet-black velvet coat, while Lila Moss stepped out continuing the family legacy with the effortless cool that seems to run in her veins. And Naomi Campbell, naturally, swept through in a fringed trench with the kind of presence that makes you forget anyone else is in the room.

The accessories played just as strong a supporting role. The B Bracelet bag took saddlebag shapes and gave them a modern flourish, while boots — whether equestrian-inspired or reworked in damask weaves — felt grounded and wearable. Jewellery gleamed with heirloom energy: crystal-studded stars, enamel ribbons, and beaded fringing that felt plucked from an old oil painting but styled for today.

And let’s talk about the setting. The Tate Britain, draped in frescos resembling dust sheets, captured the mood of a grand house just before its weekend guests arrive, suitcases in tow. The FROW included the likes of Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (our June/July 2024 cover star), and Orlando Bloom to name a few. They were joined by a mix of Hollywood, music, and fashion royalty — Kim Cattrall, Lauryn Hill, Nicholas Hoult, Jourdan Dunn, Jodie Turner, and Damian Lewis. Safe to say, it was an A-list congregation that mirrored Burberry’s fusion of heritage and modernity. The soundtrack? Sinéad O’Connor’s archival tracks, curated by Benji B, brought a haunting, rebellious edge to the affair — because what’s a Burberry show without a touch of attitude?

Lee’s FW25 collection was a masterclass in making the old feel fresh. From heritage-rich fabrics twisted into contemporary silhouettes to classic British dress codes taken apart and stitched back together, it was a confident, considered evolution of Burberry’s new era. If the goal was to cement Burberry as the ultimate expression of modern British style, well — mission accomplished.