Burberry blooms for spring/summer '08 campaign - starring Lily Donaldson, Eden Clarke & co.

Burberry has long been about doing things in big electic groups, consisting of a mixture of models, musicians, and other various It-kids.This spring/summer looks no different, with Christopher Bailey luring his cast to Petersham Nurseries, outside of London, for a greenhouse-style shoot. As far as who stars, well it appears that the whispers were correct for once. There is no sign of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley this time, after she was reportedly dropped from the label due to that drug scandal a few months back. Oops!

As speculated, Rosie seems to have been replaced by Eden Clark and actor Alex Pettyfer, amongst others. Joining them are models Lily Donaldson, Alexina Graham and Richard Wyndham, photographer Emily Hope, and musicians George Craig and Sam Beeton. The bunch were shot by Mario Testino, sporting Burberry's strong-selling outerwear. Although, keep your eyes peeled for Burberry's The Gardener bag next season.

"I wanted the mood to be gentle, relaxed, romantic and about a quiet, beautiful sense of luxury," Bailey told WWD. "This campaign highlights the spirit of our wonderfully crumpled classics."

Agyness Deyn rocks it for Burberry's The Beat - the commercial

We told you last year that model-of-the-moment Agyness Deyn was going to the face of Burberry's newest fragrance, The Beat. Finally the television commercial has hit YouTube for our viewing pleasure. Check out Agyness prancing around and rocking it up for the cameras. See below for a behind the scenes video where you can hear Burberry's Creative Director, Christopher Bailey talk about the fragrance, while the commercial's director, Fabian Baron, talks about the energy of the shoot. As per usual, the behind the scenes insight is way more interesting than the finished result. Well I think so.

The making of Burberry's The Beat commercial:

Milan Fashion Week A/W 2008-9: Burberry Prorsum

Every time I think of Christopher Bailey's name, all I can think of is the slogan t-shirt House of Holland dedicated to him - 'Do me daily Christopher Bailey'. I suppose it doesn't help that CQ's editor-in-chief Gemma (a big Bailey fan) also happens to own this particular t-shirt. Anyway, I'm sure if I was at the Burberry Prorsum show in Milan overnight, I might have been tempted to scream this out from the bleachers. But thankfully I wasn't and so on with the show...

It was hats away at the Burberry Prorsum show with wool beanies traipsing down the catwalk. As well as oversized men's jackets, cocoon coats and short dresses with voluminous sleeves.

Detailing using feathers and fringed leather leaves were also featured in a collection inspired by L.S. Lowry, famous for his paintings of industrial northern England and the matchstick people. I loved the bags especially - in toffee, caramel and cappuccino - it's enough to make you wish for another autumn season... well almost!

[via CatwalkQueen]

Introducing the Burberry babes of 2008

'Hot' lists are de rigueur at this time of year but if you want to know who is truly boiling for 2008, there is arguably no more accurate a barometer than the Burberry advertising campaign.

According to its latest campaign for this spring, those whose star is in the ascendant include Coco Sumner, daughter of Sting, Merlin Ferry, son of Bryan, actors Alex Pettyfer and Eddie Redmayne, golfer Liam Wade and musicians Will Cameron and Jack Bevan.

Oh, and not forgetting model Agyness Deyn, linchpin of the campaign for the third year running, who is joined by a supporting cast of new young British models including Laura Fraser, Edie Campbell and Alice Gibb.

Deyn, who models silk trenchcoats, skinny dresses and a military-style coat, is starting the year on a high after a stellar 2007 which saw her crowned Model Of The Year at the British Fashion Awards.

Photographed by Mario Testino, the colour images are a departure from the black and white shots that were the brand's trademark in the days when Kate Moss led the campaigns.

The fashion house's designer, Christopher Bailey, said: "Movement, energy and character are the defining spirit of this new campaign. I wanted to work with an eclectic and talented group of the best British musicians, actors, models and sportspeople who are new additions to the Burberry family."

A keen music fan, Yorkshireman Bailey prides himself on his support for young British music talent. Last month he launched a new Burberry perfume, The Beat, at a rock venue in Camden with a live performance by The Fratellis.

Of course, the real star of the show is not the lead singer of a band, or even crop-haired model Deyn - it is the new Burberry It bag.

Following in the footsteps of the Manor, a favourite with Victoria Beckham, and the Knight, beloved by Sienna Miller, is the Warrior, a crescent-shaped titan sprinkled with metal studs in keeping with the tough lines of the new clothes.

With a starting price of £1,595 for the basic leather version, those women hoping that handbags might be cheaper this year are in for a disappointment.

If there is a recession looming, nobody told Burberry's customers, who bought with such alacrity that the firm posted a 31 per cent rise in profits last year.

Top performers were handbags costing between £800 and £2,600, which only 18 months ago accounted for five per cent of all handbag sales, a figure that has now risen between 50 and 60 per cent.

So strong is the demand for ultra-expensive bags that the new Warrior will also come in gold alligator, with a price tag of £13,000. There will also be lizard and python versions costing up to £11,000.

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