Makers House

When we heard that Burberry would be showcasing their latest AW16 collection to the public we couldn't quite believe it and just had to see it to believe it. Located at Makers House in Soho, Christopher Bailey has transformed the once Foyle's bookstore into a cafe, showroom and events space to celebrate the launch of the collection.

The collection itself is heavily inspired by Virginia Woolf's novel, Orlando, a text in which the gender changes halfway through. The other main inspiration is the work of Nancy Lancaster, an interior designer best known for restoring stately home, Ditchley Park in the 1930's and for running deocrating firm Colefax and Fowler. The collection itself is made up of unisex pieces and references Lancaster's love of floral patterns and rich colours.

 Makers House itself is also inspired and designed by the decorators work; the building's courtyard is filled with a range of sculptures and a mural resembling Ditchley Park. Inside, a grand staircase takes up most of the ground floor and is covered in a green patterned carpet, which design is based on a ceiling tile which Lancaster had decorated.

 Open for a week, Burberry partnered with The New Craftsmen, where each day a different group of makers showcases their talent. From sculpting and silk-screen printing to calligraphy and theatrical readings, the open activities allows the public to see the inspiration behind the collection as well as celebrating British craft.

Throughout the house, you are also given access to how a collection is made, from the initial inspiration to the final pieces. Downstairs there is an entire room made up of fabric swatches, imagery of Lancaster's work, stills from the film adaptation of Woolf's Orlando along with original sketches by Bailey. As you move upstairs to a dusty pink room, this is where the collection is kept and what a collection.

 Open for until Tuesday 27th, the event marks the first time the fashion house has released it's collection for purchase during Fashion Week. What's good about the installation is that the pieces are open to the public. The collection isn't confined to their flagship store or other luxury boutiques that many would feel too intimated to enter. Always ahead of the game, and up for innovation, Burberry has done it once again with Makers House. 

Worth a visit!