Christopher Bailey dedicates final Burberry collection to LGBT youth
The designer has unveiled a special rainbow version of the brand's iconic check print.
By Will Stroude
Christoper Bailey has revealed that he is dedicating his final collection as Chief Creative Officer at Burburry to LGBT+ youth.
The decorated British fashion designer, who will part ways with Burberry after 17 years at the end of 2018, plans to end his time at the luxury fashion house with a series of initiatives to support LGBT young people, as well as a limited edition rainbow version of Burberry’s famed check print design.
Bailey’s final Burberry collection, which will debut this Saturday (February 19) at London Fashion Week, will feature a series of Rainbow check pieces that will be available for purchase immediately after their runway debut.
Burberry also confirmed that it has made donations to three leading LGBT+ organisations: UK youth homelessness charity The Albert Kennedy Trust, US LGBT+ youth charity The Trevor Project, and LGBT+ rights charity the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Assocaition (IGLA).
“My final collection here at Burberry is dedicated to – and in support of – some of the best and brightest organisations supporting LGBTQ+ youth around the world,” Bailey said in a statement.
“There has never been a more important time to say that in our diversity lies our strength, and our creativity.”
Tim Sigsworth MBE, Chief Executive of the Albert Kennedy Trust, praised Burberry for its commitment to helping vulnerable LGBT+ people through fashion.
“We are overjoyed with this generous donation and support from Burberry, which will make an incredible difference to preventing LGBT+ youth homelessness in the UK”, he said.
“Twenty-four per cent of the 150,000 young people facing homelessness in the UK identify as LGBT+ after experiencing abuse and rejection just for being brave enough to come out to their families.
“Burberry’s donation will support our ongoing work to provide safe homes and support to young people, grow our youth engagement programme and fund our plans to bring AKT to more cities to reach the most vulnerable people across the country.”