Burberry Launches Color Cosmetics Collection

By Man Snob Jim on April 27, 2010 9:00 AM 2 Comments

Get ready to put on another layer of chic, courtesy of Burberry. The luxe British fashion label and Inter Perfumes, its beauty licensee, plans to introduce Burberry Beauty, a 96-unit makeup line that draws inspiration from the brand's iconic trenchcoat, starting in July. Burberry chief creative officer Christopher Bailey calls the project a completely integrated component of the brand and company. "It's about effortless elegance," he said.

What's more, Bailey strives to convey in color cosmetics the chic appeal of Burberry's hallmark trench coats. Indeed, the trench theme is evident in several dimensions of Burberry Beauty: the beige outer cartons, for example, are reminiscent of the coat's fabric, while packaging is etched with the brand's signature check. Like the classic staple trench, the cosmetics are also intrinsically functional--note the magnetic closures.

As for the color palette? It's weather inspired, natch. While the trench coats lend themselves to a palette of natural hues, Bailey also turned to the stormy grays and stormy blues of the sky during a rainstorm for additional color hues, not to mention more glowy and lighter tones for those sunny Burberry days.

The collection ranges in price from $24 for a Lip Definer pencil to $59 for the Sheer Foundation compact. Burberry Beauty also includes blush, pressed powder, bronzer, liquid foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner, lip gloss, lipstick and mascara. (An applicator brush is priced at $60.)

A complementary ad campaign was shot by Mario Testino, and stars models Lily Donaldson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Nina Porter all sporting Burberry trench coats. At counter, Bailey has envisioned feature slick counter tops, mirrors and digital screens playing Burberry fashion shows on a loop.

Burberry Beauty's initial distribution will be limited to 30 doors worldwide, including Nordstrom in the U.S., Harrods in London and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.

Burberry Launches Color Cosmetics Collection