Burberry Spring/Summer 2025: Where Heritage Meets Modernity
Burberry reimagines tradition, shifting towards a lighter, more wearable approach to luxury
This year in the London Fashion week at the National Theatre The Burberry Spring/Summer 2025 Ready to wear fashion show was a single-day event held on September 16, 2024 - carrying on Burberry’s long tradition of supporting and promoting the arts. The fashion designer Daniel Lee has grounded a collection in joy and a warm sense of familiarity, alongside the collaboration of the British artist Gary Hume, creating a unique set where the collection was showcased; he designed the show’s scenery inspired by his 1990 installation Bays, where draped green fabrics mimicked the look of contemporary hospital doors. “What is so great about making art is that it’s so interesting. You’re always looking and always making.”
Daniel Lee, Burberry’s creative director, spoke highly of his new CEO, Joshua Schulman, while unveiling a refined collection featuring military-inspired cuts, shimmering sequins, and effortlessly lightweight bags. For this season, Burberry has introduced us to a new collection that feels both fresh and familiar, with light, expressive silhouettes that embrace the brand’s heritage. Weathered materials and soft, flowing designs evoke a sense of protection, drawing inspiration from the outdoors while maintaining an “effortless elegance” which gives us the perfect new favourites for this new Spring/Summer season.
This collection shows more than just a reinterpretation of Burberry’s legacy—it’s a bold innovation. Lee has shown that Burberry is more than its famous trench coats and checkered prints; it's a living embodiment of British culture and has been able to give a new modern feel to the iconic check signature elements weaving them into scarves, belts and bags in soft, muted tones. Instead of standing out as statement pieces, these elements blend naturally into the collection, much like the classic trench coat, which Lee has reworked into capes, jackets, and blouses creating a perfect balance between tradition and contemporary style. It was the first show that Lee described as having "a feeling of lightness and summertime" – certainly felt more wearable than ever (indeed, it bore the tagline: "Born of function, grounded in heritage").
Burberry has been making a concerted effort to ground itself further in London’s culture by featuring local talent, models, and influencers in its campaigns. In order to reinforce British culture, the brand's latest marketing approach has been only featuring local Londoners celebrating the diversity and creative energy of the city. Recent campaigns, such as It's Always Burberry Weather: London in Love, have starred British actors like Aimee Lou Wood and Micheal Ward, paying homage to classic British romantic comedies while capturing the everyday charm of London’s streets. By integrating homegrown talent, Burberry not only strengthens its connection to its heritage but also ensures its collections resonate with the people who inspire them.
Accessories have not gone unnoticed, proving that functionality and fashion can coexist effortlessly. Large leather duffels and crossbody bags are now replacing the micro-bag trend and starting the new era of practicality, alongside equestrian-inspired boots, with knee-high silhouettes have brought a more functional and stylish element to the collection whilst oversized sunglasses and silk scarves nodded to British glamour with a contemporary twist.
An outstanding detail from the new collection of the revival of the Burberry scarf, we could see models draped them loosely around their shoulders, tied them as tops, or wove them into their hair, showcasing their versatility beyond just an accessory. The colour palette reinforces this modern vision while staying true to Burberry’s earthy neutrals.
The final outfit of the show did not disappoint, with a gold dress covered in hand-stitched metallic paillettes Daniel Lee was able to capture the perfect balance of tradition and modernity, blending Burberry’s signature combining Burberry’s classic craftsmanship with a modern twist on evening fashion. Ending the show with shimmering gold contrasts with the rest of the collection as well as adding an eye-catching finish to the show and stands out as a testament to Buberry’s dedication to innovation and elegance.
Once again, Burberry hosted one of the most celebrity-filled events at London Fashion Week, with Jodie Turner-Smith, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Olivia Colman, Iris Law, and Jerry Hall in attendance. On the runway, Edie Campbell and Lily Donaldson brought a sense of 2010s Burberry nostalgia as they graced the catwalk reminding the audience of the brand’s golden era while seamlessly fitting into Daniel Lee’s fresh vision for the house.
The Spring/Summer 2025 collection reinforces Burberry’s balance between heritage and modernity. Described by WWD as “quiet, cool, and refreshing,” it captures Daniel Lee’s vision of simplicity and wearability. “We want the runway shows to feel like a dream, but the clothing to be a real proposition too,” he explained. Burberry’s commitment to both aspiration and practicality shines through in versatile silhouettes and refined fabrics, staying true to its legacy of accessible luxury. With this collection, Lee redefines Burberry’s purpose, weaving it deeper into the cultural fabric of Britain.