The trench coat has been a wardrobe staple since it’s original initiation into the officer’s wardrobe in 1914 (hence the name trench). Its original design was of course developed by, none other than Burberry founder Thomas Burberry and it has been synonymous with the label ever since.

Each designer who has been at the helm of the label has re-created it and re-defined it in new colour and pattern variations for the past 95 years ensuring that the Burberry tradition lives on through the trench.

These coats have engrained themselves in peoples wardrobes as staple everyday items that offer more than style they offer comfort. They keep a well groomed lady or man or a child (there is one for everyone) warm when it’s cold, dry when it’s raining and snugly when it’s bitterly windy. Honestly what more could we expect or want from a piece a clothing.

Everyone who has one treasures it and everyone who doesn’t dreams of one so it is only fitting that Burberry has launched a global online social network of testaments to trench style.

The Art of the Trench will be an ongoing collaboration with fashion image makers and Burberry trench lovers from all over the globe. It pays homage to the versatility of this garment,whether worn buttoned up or unbuttoned, tied or untied (which by the way, if tied, should be tied to the right according to Parisian etiquette,) it never fails to add a certain Je ne sais quoi to an outfit.

Art of the Trench not only portrays the many individual ways of wearing it but also the individuals wearing them everywhere, from your everyday office girl to celebrities. Many a Burberry trench has found it’s way into an iconic moment from films to fashion shoots it’s style could never be denied and now thanks to this inspired new project your trench can become one of those iconic frozen moments of style. Burberry are accepting submissions for their already huge collection of images, they want to know where your trench has been and what’s seen.

The project also see’s famous fashion image makers coming on board to pay homage to this significant garment and it’s champions, Burberry. The first board of images, which can be sorted by gender, styling or weather has been assembled by none other than the fashion king of street style photography Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist Blog. Scott has captured images of anyone and everyone in their Burberry trenches from the past and present in London, Milan, New York, Paris, Berlin, Sao Paulo and Venice. The variety of images is overwhelming from little children barely old enough to say Burberry (though we’re sure when they are old enough to talk it just might be their first word, they look so content in their tiny trenches) to stylish women and steadfast businessmen.

Burberry have chosen a unique foray to pay a well deserved tribute to the trench so if you have a trench that has a pictorial story send it in and be apart of trench history and if you don’t then be apart of it anyway and admire those who are lucky/smart/savvy enough to own one.

Further collaborations are yet to be unveiled but with such an extensive archive of designs including their signature metal “D” rings, real leather belt buckles and epaulettes, not to mention their global database of fans to play with, the possibilities are endless. Art of the Trench is an ongoing exhibition of style that is set to provide some memorable images of an unforgettable style icon that has truly weathered the storm.

Rx