Riccardo Tisci presented his Autumn/Winter 2019 show for Burberry today. The collection was unveiled in between two contrasting bespoke show environments within the Tate Modern Tanks.
Taking inspiration from the contrasts in British culture and weather, from the structured to the rebellious, the collection evolves the cues and codes first set out in Riccardo’s debut collection for Burberry last year and celebrates the two very different worlds and the individuals they represent. The collection continues to evolve the Burberry characters first introduced in September – the girl, the boy, the lady and the gentleman.

‘I have been thinking a lot about England as a country of contrasts, from the structured to the rebellious and free,
and I wanted to celebrate how these elements coexist. My first season for Burberry was about starting to develop my alphabet for the house, it was about identifying new letters and new codes. And now, I’m starting to put these letters together to begin writing my book here, to form the first chapter for a new era at Burberry.’- Riccardo Tisci, Burberry Chief Creative Officer

The show environment explored the idea of contrast and perspective, the same collection presented in two very bespoke environments. One, more structured, traditional and formal with severe, angular and rigid wood seating set above a dimly lit runway. The other was more rebellious, brutalist and real and in stark contrast played host to over 100 youths who scaled the walls in a representation of Riccardo’s drive for freedom and inclusivity.

The music was designed exclusively by M.I.A. with two bespoke soundscapes that took the two audiences on a journey from the 90s to the present day, referencing contrasting genres of music.
Models in the show included Gigi Hadid, Irina Shayk, Natalia Vodianova, Fran Summers, Anok Yai, Sora Choi, Rianne van Rompaey, Mariacarla Boscono, Stella Tennant, Freja Beha Erichsen, Cat McNeil, Claudia Lavender, Matteo Ferri, Tashi Jay Kwayie and introducing new British faces Kacie Hall, Anna Ross, Lulu Reynolds, Bassam, Azim and Afure Moses-Taiga.