The Burberry Check

The red, white, black, and camel check which came to be synonymous with Burberry, was first used as a lining for their trenchcoat in 1924. It wasn't until as late as 1967 that the Burberry Check, by now registered as a trademark, was widely used on its own for items including umbrellas, scarves and luggage. After the entry of a new management team in 1997, the brand was revitalised, after having been mainly the preserve of upper-middle class older women; and celebrities in the U.K. and U.S., including David and Victoria Beckham and hip-hop artists, gave it a wider appeal. During the 1980s the brand had become popular with the British Football Casual cult and this along with the exposure described above this led to it being associated with chav culture, hooligans and members of football firms in the 2000s. The Burberry check baseball cap was a particular favourite. However, the company has distanced itself from that element: "They're yesterday's news," stated Stacey Cartrwright, the CEO. "It was mostly counterfeit, and Britain accounts for less than 10% of our sales anyway."

Burberry

Burberry is a U.K. based outfitter, manufacturing clothing and other apparel, often in a distinctive check pattern, that has become one of its most common copied trademarks. The company has branded stores and franchises around the world, and also sells through concessions in third party stores. It also runs a catalogue business and has a fragrance line. Both HM Queen Elizabeth and HRH The Prince of Wales have granted the company Royal Warrants.

Burberry Clothing

Burberry clothing was founded in 1856 when 21 year old Thomas Burberry, a former draper's apprentice, opened his own store in Basingstoke, Hampshire. By 1870 the business had become well established and focused on the development of outdoors attire. In 1880 Thomas Burberry invented gabardine fabric, which is hardwearing, water-resistant, yet breathable, in which the yarn is waterproofed before weaving. A patent was taken out for this in 1888.

In 1891 Thomas Burberry opened an emporium in the Haymarket, London, which still stands today as the company's headquarters. Ten years later, the company was commissioned by the War Office to design a new service uniform for British officers. They also became the outfitters for Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole in 1911, then to Ernest Shackleton on his 1914 expedition to cross Antarctica. When war broke out in Europe that year, the company modified its military designs to suit the conditions of contemporary warfare encountered by British troops, and the trenchcoat was created. After the war it became popular with civilians and over the years has been worn by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther films, and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. In 1955 Burberry was bought by Great Universal Stores (GUS), owners of U.K. High street retailers Argos and Homebase.

2.55 handbag

Another famous item is the Chanel 2.55 handbag with its quilted pattern. The bag was first launched in the early 20th century and every year the design of the bag is renewed due to the popularity of the handbag.

Every authentic Chanel handbag never has black lining material inside as the founder Coco Chanel said she found it hard to find things like her lipstick inside a handbag with black lining inside.

Development

Much of Chanel's success is due to the two world wars. Government wanted women to wear simpler, less extravagent clothing, and due to this and Coco Chanel's thriving sense of fashion, the trademark flourished. Chanel was a pioneer during the early 20th century development and uprise in fashion.

Chanel logo

The Chanel logo is a 'C' placed with a backward 'C'. This comes from the founder Coco Chanel. The logo however wasn't it trademark to late during the first openings of Chanel's stores. The logo was not implied. Chanel is currently trying to deal with their logo being fakely used with cheaper goods and especially handbags. Countries especially making the fakes are said to be Vietnam, Thailand and China. An authentic Chanel handbag would retail for around AU $3700 while fakes would cost around AU $ 30-100.

Chanel

The House of Chanel, more commonly known as Chanel, is a Parisian fashion house in France.

Founded by Coco Chanel by 1909, the small shop selling ladies headwear had moved to the upmarket Rue Cambon within a year. The house became especially famous with its signature Chanel No. 5 fragrance - so called as it was the fifth attempt at creating a Chanel perfume that Coco Chanel liked - and the popular Chanel suit, an elegant creation comprised of a knee-length skirt and trim, boxy jacket, traditionally made of woven wool with black trim and gold buttons and worn with large costume-pearl necklaces.

After Chanel No. 5 was launched in 1923, Coco Chanel's fashions became well-known and were purchased by the high flyers of London and Paris society alike. Chanel took to living at the Hôtel Ritz, and her suite of residence is named the Coco Chanel Suite even today. The German designer Karl Lagerfeld now presides over the house.

Chanel is also known for its quilted fabric which also has a "secret" quilting pattern sewn at the back to keep the material strong. This material is used for clothing and accessories alike.