V&A and Burberry Announce Display on Trench Coat History, Opening Sept. 21
The Facts
On July 28, 2026, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Burberry announced 'The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon', a free display at V&A South Kensington running from September 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027. The exhibition marks Burberry's 170th anniversary and brings together rare material from the Burberry Archive and the V&A collection. It traces the trench coat's evolution from military outerwear to fashion icon, featuring Thomas Burberry's 1879 invention of cotton gabardine, craftsmanship details, and 19 runway looks by former chief creative officers Christopher Bailey and Daniel Lee. The display is housed in the Prince Consort Gallery, which once held fabrics from the textile collection.
The Signal
The display precedes the opening of The Burberry Gallery in autumn 2028, a major transformation of the V&A's fashion galleries supported by Burberry as part of a multi-year partnership. Oriole Cullen, senior curator at the V&A, said the display showcases a British fashion staple that has stood the test of time. Carly Eck, brand curator at Burberry, noted that many objects from the archive will be exhibited publicly for the first time, including a trench coat worn by fashion designer Hardy Amies. The partnership reinforces the V&A's role as a leading institution for fashion history and Burberry's commitment to preserving its heritage.
- People: Oriole Cullen, Carly Eck, Thomas Burberry, Christopher Bailey, Daniel Lee, Hardy Amies
- Museums: Victoria and Albert Museum
- Locations: London
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