Burberry introduces its Spring/Summer 2023 Pre-Collection, designed by Chief Creative Officer Riccardo Tisci.
‘The Friends and Family series is so important to me because it is a celebration of togetherness, creativity and collaboration. It is an opportunity for someone special to me, and who inspires me endlessly, to bring their own unique style and perspective to the world of Burberry.
For the second edition of the series, I’m so happy to announce Jared Buckhiester as the Spring/Summer 2023 Pre-Collection Friends and Family collaborator.
Jared and I have been close friends for a long time and I have always admired him, both for his dedication to his work and the passion that comes with that, as well as his commitment to living fiercely by his identity and being true to himself. I am so excited to be able to share the result of our creative worlds coming together with the release of this unique and very special collection.’
Riccardo Tisci, Burberry Chief Creative Officer
The collection celebrates the brand’s house code of duality – a juxtaposition of regality and refined utility, a modern twist on classic British femininity and functionality. This is seen on colourful workwear-inspired jackets and chain motifs on flowing silk shirts, English-fit suits and sporty co-ordinated styles. Iconic Burberry outerwear such as duffle coats and car coats are animated with stripes, pleated details and the Equestrian Knight Design and paired with tactile pieces such as leather ties, biker trousers and padded jackets.
The Spring/Summer 2023 Pre-Collection is the second in the creative series Friends and Family, in which Riccardo Tisci partners with inspiring creatives from unexpected backgrounds. For this collection, Riccardo partnered with Jared Buckhiester who featured in the Burberry Autumn/Winter 2022 runway show. Jared interpreted the themes of the collection by styling the collection and photographing the lookbook – cementing his personal creative identity.
‘The word I would use to describe my experience is simply fun. Having such a strong team interested in and responding to the ideas I’m being asked to contribute feels great and leaves a lot of room for creativity. From the get-go, it’s been an ideal collaboration and I’ve been fully embraced as a contributor. Riccardo and I have a crossover in our love of workwear aesthetics. So much of my work as an artist draws upon the masculine archetype that inhabits these clothes. Immediately, I was interested in playing within this space, and it’s been a fruitful place to create from.
If anyone knows Riccardo, they know him to be generous and loyal, and for this reason he is surrounded by people who have something to bring creatively. As well, he is such a sharp observer, he misses nothing. Combine this observational nature with the generosity and you get someone who can recognise the ideas that will best represent you as a collaborator. Honestly, it’s been a dream to work with him.
I see Burberry as a signifier of British culture, it’s woven into my conception of what it is to be British, similar to punk or rave culture. Add to that Riccardo – and my relationship to him as a friend – and suddenly Burberry becomes more personal and tactile. It maintains its British core, but the rave is right alongside.’
Jared Buckhiester, artist
