Burberry

Everyone can recognise the classic Burberry trench coat. It’s had quite a history, making its way from the backs of World War I officers in the trenches to the wardrobes of fashion lovers the world over. So how would students in Whitby and Scarborough update this classic piece to make it fit for a pioneering woman of their choice?

Burberry and the Careers Enterprise Foundation helped us set the challenge

The Burberry team ran a series of workshops to give students insights into the latest fabric and tech trends, including nanotechnology, printable electronics and augmented reality. The students learned more about Thomas Burberry’s original gabardine fabric designs. And they heard about a few of the pioneers who’ve worn his coats, like explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton and world record-breaking pilot Betty Kirby-Green.

You don’t have to be a designer to work in fashion

The catwalk challenge – which involved writing invitations, thinking about staging, styling models and choosing music – showed the group just how many different careers the fashion industry has to offer. And most students left with a hunger to learn more.

Could you create a future classic?

It’s hard to know right now if people will love your design in 10, 20 or even 100 years from now. But if you aspire to timelessness, here are some things to think about:

Keep it simple
Trends come and go, but more often than not classic designs have a certain simplicity to them. Think more clean lines and fewer frills. As French author Antoine de St-Exupery once said, "Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."
Think about symmetry
We’re wired to find balance pleasing. So adding a bit of symmetry to your design could make it a favourite for longer.
Get inspiration from current classics
Visit design museums, ask friends and family what their favourite pieces are. Look to the worlds of furniture, tech and fashion. But look at nature too, you’ll find some incredible designs in the wild…