A clip from the Burberry AW21 womenswear show.

April 25, 2021: Italian fashion designer and Burberry‘s chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci unveiled his 46-piece Autumn-Winter womenswear collection entitled “Femininity.” Debuting right after the lift of an intense COVID-19-fueled lockdown in the UK, the fashion line sheds light on British nationalism, strength, and female strength. “I wanted this collection to feel truly emblematic of the power of feminine energy: a modern armour that captures its characteristic fierce aura,” Tisci explains. “There’s an underlying attitude to the collection that’s distinctly British; of being unique, eccentric, and totally authentic in how you express yourself.”

Tisci’s strong appreciation of female strength comes from his family. “Throughout my life, my mother has been this incredible force of nature. As a single parent, she raised me and my eight sisters with unfaltering purpose and pride,” the designer continues. “So, naturally, I have always been drawn to strong women and, in turn, they have also given me the confidence to express my own femininity.” As a result, he deems his AW21 collection “a love letter to women,” including Mother Nature herself.

The show was filmed at the luxury label’s flagship store in London, the same place the Burberry’s AW21 menswear show came to life last February. British songwriter Shygirl opened the show with an original spoken-word piece depicting the disruptive progressiveness of women empowerment. Then, models walked with a confident, assertive strut through the storefront to an upbeat soundtrack featuring artists Amnesia Scanner, Kamixlo, and Toxe. Experience some of our favourite looks via the gallery below.

Tisci channels mother nature with literal interpretations that, as the brand puts it, “twist classicism and encourage freedom of expression.” Calling for the desired end to strict gender roles, Tisci reinvents classic heritage Burberry looks with a modern touch. The iconic tartan, a distinct signature of Burberry, is envisioned with cutouts and deconstructed. Glittering gold lamé covered in paillettes and sequins illuminated like a radiant sun as models strutted down the runway. The collection provided an abundance of faux fur and animal print trench coats covering nearly every sector of the animal kingdom.

In line with Burberry’s goal of achieving a net-zero future, the AW21 show was certified carbon-neutral. Looking forward, the brand has promised that all of its future events will be, too.