British fashion house Burberry collaborates with Sir Quentin Blake for a capsule collection that embodies the artist’s distinctively British sense of imagination. Daniel Lee, Burberry’s chief creative officer, said: “Sir Quentin Blake’s illustrations capture the magic of childhood. They have a very British style and we wanted to bring his wonderful creations into the world of Burberry.”
Sir Quentin Blake is an award-winning artist who was knighted in 2013. He has been a popular figure in the British art and children’s book scene for almost seventy years. His illustrations are known for their distinctive character and memorable narrative style.
For this capsule collection, bold, hand-drawn motifs adorn a selection of women’s, men’s and children’s fashion. The designs include pen and ink prints inspired by an original ink drawing from 1971. This comes from an English language version of ‘The Birds’ by Aristophanes. There is also a current series of previously unpublished drawings that show playful figures interacting with nature.
The collection
Created in collaboration with Sir Quentin Blake, the collection serves as a canvas for the celebrated British artist’s paintings and illustrations.
Trench coats in water-repellent tropical gabardine, the lightest of Burberry’s signature fabrics, reinterpret Blake’s feather artworks through material techniques and craftsmanship. The ‘Pembury’ style on display is lined with printed silk, while the slim, clean ‘Foxfield’ style features a tactile embroidered design. Each piece features Burberry’s ‘Knight’ label, complete with the artist’s signature.
Printed silk is used throughout the collection. It appears as panels on a knitted T-shirt and in flowing separates, ruffled dresses and scarves. Soft cotton jersey t-shirts, tops and sweaters showcase the collection’s artwork.
As for accessories, the capsule collection’s motifs are embroidered on cotton twill baseball caps and cashmere scarves woven in Scotland. These are brushed for an extra soft finish.
About Sir Quentin Blake
Sir Quentin Blake is known for his collaborations with many writers, most famously with Roald Dahl. From 1999 to 2001 he was the first British Children’s Laureate. He was awarded a CBE in 2005 and knighted in 2013 for his services to illustration. In 2022 he was appointed a ‘Companion of Honor’ by Queen Elizabeth II.
The Quentin Blake Center for Illustration will open on June 5, 2026 as the first and only permanent venue for illustration in the UK. Burberry is a long-time supporter of the arts and has contributed to the new center. The company funds training for staff and volunteers as well as workshops led by illustrators. It also supports inclusive community programs and monthly LGBTQI+ family sessions starting in July.
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