The Bloomsbury Girls ... Burberry FW2014 Collection

A collective made of painters, thinkers and writers serves as major inspiration to Burberry fall/winter 2014 womenswear collection. 

Known as the Bloomsbury set, the collective was known as an influential group of associated English writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists, the best known members of which included Virginia Woolf (who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf, anyone?), John Maynard Keynes, E. M. Forster and Lytton Strachey. This loose collective of friends and relatives lived, worked or studied together near Bloomsbury, London, during the first half of the 20th century.

Rather then being influenced by their broad spectrum of works, philosophy, ethics or shared ideas that include rejection of bourgeois habits among others, Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey took his references from the country home where the collective would meet, known as Charleston. 

Imbued with British heritage, the show also marks the the start of a partnership with the Charleston Trust, on a project to help protect the creative and cultural heritage of Charleston for the public.

Staged in London to 1500 guests that include actors Bradley Cooper (he sat beside Our Lady of US Vogue Anna Wintour), Daniel Brühl, Naomie Harris, Carina Lau and Olivie Palermo just to list a few, the show started off with live performances by British musicians Paloma Faith, Ed Harcourt and Rhodes.

Heavy yet season-appropriate, fabrics with touch of British heritage such as English-woven cotton gabardine, shave and curly shearling, double cashmere and equestrian blanket are materialised into classy ranges of outer wears such as relaxed trench coats, trench coat ponchos, blanket coats and ponchos and equestrian top coats.

While these pieces may be too heavy for Malaysian hot and humid climate, fans will not be disappointed with a selection of tea dresses in light-as-air materials namely crêpe silk, embroidered tulle lace and hand-painted silk cotton organdie.

Working palette made of Elderberry, cameo pink, blackcurrant, bright olive, deep bottle green and burnt amber are juxtaposed with variety of prints then doused over the collection, bringing forth the essence of Charleston legacy to the runway. 

Womenswear aside, a couple of men’s look were paraded over the runway too such as printed shirts, white mesh thank tops, suits and printed overcoats layered atop over-printed icon scarf.  

In the accessories department, fall/winter will see the debut of Burberry’s latest “hot commodity”, which is the Bloomsbury bag. Crafted into several permutations using a variety of materials ranging from crocodile skin to British woven blankets, the bags are also artisanally hand-painted with floral and geometrical motifs. 

Other must-have accessories to complement the ready-to-wear collection are scarves (over-printed icon, equestrian blanket, painted flowers and leaves), hand-painted boots and belts, as well as duffle toggle waist belts.  

Good news for avid Burberry fans: Be the first in the world to own nails, personalised coats and accessories, especially the Bloomsbury, by placing your orders via Burberry.com. 

Orders can be placed now and will be closed on March 3, 2014. Exclusive hand-painted pieces from the runway will be hand-made to order and can be personalised with a name or initials for delivery in nine weeks.

Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2014 womenswear and accessories collection will be available at Burberry stores, selected fine departmental stores and multi-brand boutiques worldwide by autumn. 

*Photos courtesy of Burberry

Burberry – Lot 438, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur; Pavilion KL, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; Lot G222, Ground Floor, The Gardens Mid Valley, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.