ol’ Blighty

From Alasdair McLellan to the Chapman Brothers: DSM and Burberry curate an exhibition of Britishness
By Alex James Taylor | Art | 22 February 2018

Last week saw Christopher Bailey take his final bow for Burberry. Going out with a bang, his last offering was an optimistic slice of youth culture, Britishness and a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. Marking the designer’s exit, Burberry have teamed up with Dover Street Market for a special installation featuring rare vintage pieces and a range of special and limited edition books, artworks and prints courtesy of book gallery Claire de Rouen.

GALLERY

Alongside a capsule of re-issued pieces from the 1980s and 90s plucked from the brand’s archive and presented as part of the FW18 collection, the pop-up also plays host to a curation of vintage Burberry trenches, individually sourced, reproofed and restored in England, and all dating from circa 1960s to 1990s.

As for Claire de Rouen’s involvement, the book gallery has taken its cue from themes of sexiness, British youth culture, and LGBT+ – all of which have become key identifiers of Bailey’s Burberry – for a curation of books and prints by British artists and photographers, presented in a rainbow palette. From Shirley Baker’s photographs of 80s punk girls to works by Barney Bubbles, Alasdair McLellan, Dick Jewell and the Chapman Brothers, it’s a bold and vibrant mix that proves the ideal accessory to pair with your perfect Burberry trench .

Thy Tran, Cacher. First edition, 2017 NB books

Explore the Burberry installation at Dover Street Market, 18-22 Haymarket, SW1Y 4DG.


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