It’s good to be British

On the eve of London Fashion Week, which kicks off on Friday (18), some big name British retail brands are showing what a great time it is for classic British fashion.

Rosie Baker

Burberry has skyrocketed into the FTSE 100 this week, proving its might prior to showing at London Fashion Week for the first time in a decade.

Burberry’s success, globally and at home is a perfect example of a brand that has harnessed its heritage and become the very definition of British fashion.

Two signature British fashion brands have been brought back under British ownership in what is hoped will see both rejuvenated.

Jaeger’s chief, Harold Tillman has bought 158-year-old luxury brand Aquascutum this week, a deal that pairs together two of Britain’s oldest brands.

When Tillman took the helm at Jaeger, it was a somewhat lacklustre imitation of its former self, and under his leadership has transformed itself to former glory days as a top-notch British fashion label.

If Tillman can replicate this turnaround success with Aquascutum, the newly formed fashion group will be a force to be reckoned with.

In a separate deal, classic British shoemaker Joseph Cheaney was bought back from Italian Prada.

Aquascutum and Cheaney had lost their British stiff upper lip through being owned by non-British companies, being back on home turf should mean they can capitalise on their true heritage.

Meanwhile, there are foreign fashion brands making serious headway on Britain’s high streets. Zara and Mango, both Spanish retail brands, are enjoying phenomenal growth. The latest pretender to the fashion throne is Norwegian sports brand Helly Hansen, set to launch on these shores later this year.

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