Burberry

One of the most recognized brands around the world due to their iconic check pattern and trench coats, Burberry has been in existence since 1856. In this year, 21-year-old Thomas Burberry, a draper's apprentice, opened a small outfitters shop in Hampshire, England. By the 1870s, the business had grown into an emporium selling outdoors wear. Burberry invented and patented Gabardine in 1880, the breathable, weatherproof fabric that would be used in many of their future coats. The business continued to expand, and by 1891, Thomas Burberry and Sons had opened its doors in London's West End. Burberry went on to clothe the first explorers to reach the South Pole, British soldiers in World War I (hence the first trench coats), royal servicemen and aviators. In the 1920s, Burberry registered their famous check pattern. The trademark pattern was soon being applied to everything from coat linings to scarves to umbrellas. Thanks to aggressive retail development in the seventies and eighties, Burberry quickly grew into a household name. The company shifted their focus to the luxury fashion market in the nineties, debuting their first ready-to-wear runway collection in 1999. Today, the respected Christopher Bailey is the creative director of Burberry, adding a young urban edge to the venerable brand. Burberry goods can be found in most upscale department stores, as well as in their own boutiques across the United States and Europe. Burberry's celebrated trench coats and check pattern still dominate, but the fashion house has added several clothing and accessory lines over the years, including the high-end Burberry Prorsum, Burberry London, and the more casual Burberry Brit and Sport. The company also has an extensive childrenswear line, fragrance collection and accessories division. Burberry's color scheme is famously neutral, with splashes of reds, blues, and pastels. The trench coat is the starting point for all Burberry collections, coming in a wide variety of colors, lengths, and designs. Burberry is famous for using British models in their advertising campaigns, from Kate Moss to Emma Watson.