British luxury house Burberry has unveiled a capsule collection in collaboration with renowned illustrator Sir Quentin Blake. Spanning womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear, the collection features trench coats, T-shirts, accessories, and other pieces adorned with the artist’s signature hand-drawn artwork.
Summary
- Burberry unveiled a capsule collection in collaboration with celebrated British illustrator Sir Quentin Blake
- The collection spans womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, and accessories featuring Blake’s signature hand-drawn artwork
- Designs incorporate illustrations from Blake’s 1971 artwork for an English-language edition of The Birds as well as previously unreleased drawings
- Burberry’s signature trench coats are reimagined through embroidery and printed interpretations of Blake’s artwork
- Burberry continues its support of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, set to open in the UK on June 5, 2026
The collection celebrates Blake’s imaginative world, which has shaped British art and children’s literature for nearly seven decades. Featured artworks include feather illustrations originally created for the 1971 English-language edition of Aristophanes’ The Birds, alongside a series of previously unreleased drawings depicting playful figures interacting with nature.
Reimagining the Trench Coat Through Illustration
At the heart of the collection are Burberry’s iconic trench coats. Crafted from the brand’s shower-resistant tropical gabardine—the lightest version of its signature fabric—the designs reinterpret Blake’s feather motifs through embroidery, printing, and artisanal craftsmanship.
The fit-and-flare Pembury trench features a printed silk lining, while the sleek Foxfield silhouette is detailed with tactile embroidered artwork. Each piece is finished with a special edition Burberry Knight label bearing Blake’s signature.
Elsewhere in the collection, printed silk appears across dresses, scarves, knitted T-shirts, and fluid separates. Soft cotton jersey T-shirts, tops, and sweatshirts further showcase the artist’s illustrations. Accessories include embroidered cotton twill baseball caps and Scottish-woven cashmere scarves.
Commenting on the collaboration, Burberry Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lee said: “Sir Quentin Blake’s illustrations capture a sense of childhood magic. They have a very British style, and we wanted to bring his amazing creations into the world of Burberry.”
Continuing Support for Illustration and the Arts
Sir Quentin Blake is internationally recognized for his collaborations with numerous writers, most notably Roald Dahl, whose beloved children’s books he illustrated. He served as the inaugural British Children’s Laureate from 1999 to 2001, was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2005, received a knighthood for services to illustration in 2013, and was named a Companion of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
On June 5, 2026, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will open as the United Kingdom’s first permanent center dedicated solely to illustration. As a longstanding supporter of the arts, Burberry has contributed funding for staff and volunteer training, illustrator-led workshops, inclusive community programs, and monthly LGBTQI+ family sessions launching in July 2026.
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