25 February 2025 |
Countryside escapes were top of mind for Daniel Lee.
Courtesy of 2023’s Saltburn American audiences were introduced to the complexities of the British class system and its cast of characters. For Burberry’s Daniel Lee, the countryside estate seen in the movie, along with other grand homes like it, served as a starting point for his fall 2025 collection. On the moodboard? Images that invoked the Friday night dash from crowded London to the serene countryside — not at all dissimilar to Grand Central Station in the fall as the crowds grab trains to Hudson the Berkshires. But while Metro North takes us to woodsy cabins and modern minimalist homes, Lee’s world is more eccentric and textured.
Held at the Tate Britain, the show opened with a bomber coupled with slim trousers tucked into riding boots. It was your standard outdoorsy outfit but from there Lee made his great escape. Drawing from the interiors of these country homes, wallpapers, upholstery, and tapestries provided the textures and colors that filled the collection. A shaggy white coat brought to mind a plush rug or perhaps the sheep living outside in the fields while a mustard yellow suit could be directly inspired from the drapes or a favorite throw pillow. Perhaps the most overt reference could be seen at the end, with a top that featured a knight on horseback — a medieval relic thrust into the 21st century.
References aside, Lee also gave us plenty of practical and wearable clothes. Outerwear, always a focus come fall, takes center stage with cozy bombers coupled with wrapped scarves bringing to mind chilly days. Trenches, a Burberry staple, can be found in plaid and leather renditions while heavy wool overcoats in a slew of colors were also in the mix. And because you need something under these jackets, there were also cozy knits and classic suits as well.
Speaking of classics, the front row was classic Burberry star-power at its best with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Nicholas Hoult, Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz-Beckham, Jodie Turner-Smith, and more making an appearance. And the celebrity appearances didn’t stop there. Campaign star Richard E. Grant along with White Lotus star Jason Isaacs, Downton Abbey’s Elizabeth McGovern, Bridgerton’s Jessica Madsen, were among the famous British faces who took a turn as runway models, much to the delight of the room. But the biggest draw of them all? The Burberry Knight. The armor clad figure was an irresistible target for selfies galore and a brilliant marketing move.
