Tie

Menswear ensemble of cape, scarf, jumper, shirt, tie and trousers, autumn/winter 2004. Designed by Burberry Prorsum.

A man's tie of a chocolate brown and black stripe. The stripes are on the diagonal and of differing thicknesses with counter stripes of cream, lime and dark green.

This outfit cleverly reinvents classic pieces achieving a contemporary look which is in keeping with the tradition of Burberry, creating an outfit that is easy to wear but also functional. The short tartan, hooded, gabardine cape is a fashionable and lightweight take on a traditional waterproof garment. A fine washed silk sweater reduces any sense of bulkiness and wool pinstripe trousers are given a modern twist with a wide relaxed leg and a drawstring waistline. This outfit was donated by Burberry to the Museum of London in 2004.

When Thomas Burberry opened his Basingstoke outfitters in 1856 he could not have imagined that his firm, which specialised in waterproofs and country clothing, would grow into a multi-million pound global brand. The firm thrived in the inter-war period but after the Second World War the appeal of its high quality, classic styles gradually diminished. In 1997 Burberry appointed Rose Marie Bravo as Chief Executive who in turn employed the designer Roberto Menichetti to launch a high fashion line, Burberry Prorsum, now designed by Christopher Bailey. This line, supported by eye-catching advertising campaigns featuring celebrities like the model Kate Moss, created a huge response within the fashion world and successfully re-branded the firm's image.