Burberry, the storied British fashion house helmed by Christopher Bailey, on Monday announced that it will introduce a rainbow check that incorporates the LGBTQ+ symbol in the fall-winter 2018 collection that will be shown on Saturday during London Fashion Week. The rainbow check pieces will be available for purchase immediately after the show.
Today we reveal #TheRainbowCheck and announce that @Burberry is supporting LGBTQ+ charities @AlbertKennedyTr, @ILGAWorld and @TrevorProject. The rainbow, a symbol of inclusiveness and joy, is celebrated throughout the February 2018 collection #BurberryShow #LFW pic.twitter.com/k5IXhDRl9C
— Burberry (@Burberry) February 12, 2018
The company also announced its support for three non-profits: The Albert Kennedy Trust, which works with homeless LGBTQ+ people in the U.K.; The Trevor Project, the West Hollywood-based organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ+ youth; and the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), which brings together more than 1,200 organizations from 132 countries focused on human rights and civil rights.
The brand brought its trademark plaid pattern back to the runway with bravado as part of the spring 2018 collection, capitalizing on the current logo craze in fashion. The famous checked print was first used around the 1920s in the lining of Burberry trench coats, and it became particularly popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But a surge of counterfeit copies of the plaid cheapened it and the house limited its usage to less than 10 percent of its products at one point.
Bailey, who joined the house in 2001 and currently serves as president and chief creative officer, announced that he will exit the brand at the end of next month. His successor has not yet been announced, although rumors have been flying that all eyes are on Phoebe Philo.
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