Burberry Prorsum: Not Afraid of Virginia Woolfe
By Michelle Taylor
Photos by Giovanni Pucci

MILAN, Feb 29, 2004/ FW/ --- Tradition is an almighty source of inspiration and Christopher Bailey at the creative helm of Burberry has been doing a lot of reading and film watching of late, to be precise, he has become a Virginia Woolfe fan.

Being able to play with such a trusted and stable a name as Burberry is a fortune for the lad as he takes key elements and reworks them time and time again always making them seem fresh and new, like the mackintosh which has become emblematic of the well to do English maison, this season turning it into a ladies must have by softening sleeves and hems.

And finally there is still someone who does a winter collection for the winter, there are no strappy sandals and shoestring dresses, there are no short sleeve transparent blouses, there are instead beautiful cabans, overcoats in gorgeous suede, pencil skirts and crushed and wrinkled cashmere sweaters not to mention fun transparent rain capes.

Bailey succeeds in making silk flowing wraps around dresses vintage and yet very modern, soft and delicate his essential details from bows to choices of buttons to the definition and consistency of the knee length hemline.

Neat tailored and quilted leather jackets as perfect for urban wear and the comfortable silk baggy pants reminiscent of pyjamas are lovely and fresh for the contemporary woman.

His palette is in perfect symbiosis for this multi layered autumn winter collection in deep reds, olive greens, flashes of gold and silver and pretty purples, while patterns reminiscent of floral and wintry leaves are soft touches to an already elegant, simple chic and sartorial collection.

Ruffles are refined and volume is victorious as Bailey triumphantly steers Burberry steadily towards increasing profits.

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum