Burberry Launches Festive Campaign with an All-Star British Cast
Festive Film premieres across Burberry platforms: -“Billy Elliot is an incredible film full of so much joy and energy, so it was a real thrill and a great honour to be able to celebrate its 15 year anniversary through our Festive campaign. It was also a huge privilege to work with such amazing and iconic British talent — the cast are quite simply some of the biggest names in film, music and fashion and it was so much fun working with them all to make this special film,” – Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer
The line-up features Sir Elton John, James Corden, Julie Walters, Romeo Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Michelle Dockery, James Bay, George Ezra and Toby Huntington-Whiteley.
The “Burberry Festive Film” pays tribute to the iconic BAFTA-winning British film Billy Elliot, which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary. It is based on the much-loved opening sequence of the film and features original footage as well as the original soundtrack, ‘Cosmic Dancer’ by T Rex.
The “Burberry Festive Film” premiered November 3, 2015, at the brand’s global flagship store, 121 Regent Street, in London, during an event hosted by Burberry Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bailey and Sir Elton John.
The campaign will then be shared across Burberry platforms including www.Burberry.com, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Sina Weibo until the end of the year.
World-renowned photographer, Mario Testino, also shot a separate stills campaign featuring Romeo Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and James Bay that will run across print and digital titles.
The original production of Billy Elliot established a legacy of charitable support for the local community of Easington, County Durham where the film is set. Inspired by this, Burberry is making a donation of GBP 500000 to be split between two charities, Place2Be and the County Durham Community Foundation, that have projects focusing on reducing barriers to education, training and employment in the local area. This donation is made in recognition of each artist’s participation in the campaign.
The launch of the campaign coincided with the availability of the full range of Burberry festive gifts in store and on Burberry.com. This includes iconic pieces which are celebrated in the campaign – the made in England heritage trench coat, the made in Scotland cashmere scarf, Burberry tailoring, limited edition embellished gowns and The Baby Bucket Bag, as well as a new Burberry Beauty make-up look created by Burberry Make-up Artistic Consultant Wendy Rowe.
The Book of Gifts also launches on Burberry.com the same day with a curation of the brand’s most gift worthy items for the festive season, including items featured in the campaign and other inspiring gift ideas for men, women, children and the home. A Collect-in-Store service also allows customers to shop online at Burberry.com globally, and collect the order at a Burberry store of their choice, as early as the next day.
The “Burberry Festive Film” is inspired by Billy Elliot, the iconic British film, which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary. The film is set in North-East England during the 1984-85 coal miners’ strike and focuses on an 11-year-old Billy Elliot, an aspiring male dancer. At the 2001 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, the film won Best British Film, and Julie Walters won Best Actress in Supporting Role for her role as Billy’s ballet teacher Billy Elliot was adapted for the West End stage as Billy Elliot the Musical in 2005 – the musical is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year
‘Cosmic Dancer’ by T-Rex – the track which accompanies the opening credits of Billy Elliot – features in its original studio recording in the “Burberry Festive Film”, having received the rights from T Rex’s estate to use the track ‘Cosmic Dancer’ holds particular significance for Burberry – it has been previously performed by emerging British musicians Clare Maguire (Burberry Menswear Autumn/Winter 2015 show) and by Tom Odell (at the Burberry ‘London in Los Angeles’ event in April 2015)
THE FESTIVE WARDROBE: The cast wear made in England heritage and seasonal trench coats, with made in Scotland cashmere scarves from The Scarf Bar and Autumn/Winter 2015 runway styles monogrammed with their initials. They are also dressed in Burberry tailoring, limited edition embellished gowns and The Baby Bucket Bag.
The launch of the campaign coincides with the availability of the fullrange of Burberry festive gifts in store and on Burberry.com. Make-up is by Wendy Rowe, Burberry Make-up Artistic Consultant, using Burberry Beauty.
THE FESTIVE COLLECTION: A collection of Burberry’s most luxurious gift worthy items for the festive season, from British-inspired key charms to cashmere Thomas Bears and the Burberry trench coat. This year Burberry introduces The Burberry Scarf Bar. Made in Scotland and available to monogram, the selection of iconic cashmere scarves has been expanded to include new colours, designs and prints Burberry’s iconic scarves are made in Scotland at two distinguished mills in the towns of Elgin and Ayr, each with a rich history of producing cashmere scarves using the finest materials and craftsmanship techniques. The Burberry monogramming service allows for personalisation of iconic products including Burberry scarves for men, women and children, the My Burberry fragrance for women, as well as the iconic Burberry ponchos with up to three initials in the Burberry font, allowing global customers the ability to personalise bespoke gifts for their loved ones ABOUT BURBERRY
Established in 1856, Burberry is a global British luxury brand with a heritage of innovation, craftsmanship and design. The Burberry business comprises 5 divisions: mens, womens, children, accessories and beauty. Burberry is headquartered in London.