In London’s Central Hall Westminster – an incredible theatre known for its domed ceiling and grand organ – Riccardo Tisci found an opulent setting for Burberry’s first live runway show in two years. Guests stood around a series of immaculately set Burberry-branded dining tables as the London Contemporary Orchestra played works by Max Richter, Phillip Glass and Michael Nyman accompanied by a one-hundred-person choir.

‘It was important for me to explore what it means to belong, how our roots influence our identity and how the power of community and togetherness is what truly brings meaning to the world,” said Tisci. “To me, London is a place of dreams, a capital building on its heritage and unified by its diverse community and an attitude of moving beyond boundaries – of pursuing limitless potential.”

An ode to London: the home of Burberry and second home to Tisci, who spent his formative student years in the city. Within this, codes of Britishness were sliced and spliced to create a sartorial portrait. Stage lights guided our view as models descended a series of steps towards the audience. Starting with menswear, Tisci presented a tailored (in every sense of the word) curation of British menswear codes through time. Red duffel coats with asymmetrical straps resembled Beefeater uniforms, while rugby shirts took us to the sports field. Quilted field jackets, workwear silhouettes and Burberry check hoods, leather trenches, Alice bands on baseball caps and sculptural knitwear that wrapped around models. Act two: womenswear. Stepping onto the aforementioned dinner tables, models took their cues in brilliant all-over nova check looks, pleated skirts, lace corset tops and masculine blazers. The brand’s iconic trench was given special treatment, reimagined in soft fawn styles with chain-link details, trompe l’oeil prints and pleating. Gowns trimmed with feathers and encrusted with sparkling embellishment were as elegant as their surroundings while structured silhouettes fused proper with punk.