World renowned brand Burberry is commonly associated with its trademark check, trench coats, accessories and fragrance. It has come a long way since its humble beginnings in England. Thomas Burberry opened his small outfitters shop in Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1856. In two decades, the shop had thrived with many loyal customers. Burberry, who was a draper’s apprentice when he opened the shop, developed a new type of fabric in 1880. This unique fabric, called gabardine, was weatherproof and tearproof. Burberry’s line of coats soon became a reliable favorite among British officers. Furthermore, the first man to reach the South Pole wore Burberry. Over the last century, the brand’s image has developed into one of the most luxurious in fashion.