Burberry has teamed up with British illustrator Sir Quentin Blake on a new capsule collection, bringing his instantly recognisable hand-drawn style into ready-to-wear and accessories. The result is a fashion line that leans into storytelling, with Blake’s illustrations woven directly into womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.
Knighted in 2013, Blake has shaped British illustration for nearly seventy years, most notably through his long-running collaboration with Roald Dahl. He is known for loose, expressive line drawings and playful characters that are instantly recognisable and full of movement. That visual style now moves from page to wardrobe, reworked into clothing designed for everyday wear.
The collection draws on both archive and newly revealed work. It references a 1971 pen-and-ink feather illustration originally created for an edition of The Birds by Aristophanes, alongside recently uncovered drawings showing figures moving through natural settings. These motifs carry through into dresses, knitwear and printed silk pieces.
Burberry has reworked its signature outerwear through this lens as well. Trench coats in shower-resistant tropical gabardine feature reinterpreted feather designs through print and embroidery, with styles ranging from structured silhouettes to more fitted shapes. Each piece includes a special Knight label with Blake’s signature.
Elsewhere, the artwork shows up across silk panels, jersey tops, scarves and ruffled dresses, with the prints scaled and layered depending on the garment. Accessories also carry the theme through embroidered caps and cashmere scarves.
Beyond the collection itself, the collaboration links to a wider cultural push. The upcoming Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, opening June 5, 2026, will be a dedicated space for illustration in the UK.
Burberry is supporting the project with funding for training, workshops and community programming, including inclusive family sessions launching later in the year.
