Burberry recreates historic pieces in new Shackleton documentary firm

Burberry has played an important central role in a new National Geographic film ‘Endurance’ that documents the heroic yet tragic tale of survival that Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew endured while traversing Antarctica in 1914.

When their ship, the Endurance, was lost to the pack ice, Shackleton kept his crew of 27 men alive for over a year. 

In the documentary, a team of modern-day explorers trace their steps to uncover Shackleton’s sunken ship.

To support the documentary, Burberry recreated the brand’s gabardine outerwear garments worn by Shackleton’s crew on their landmark expedition in an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent.

The rain and weather-resistant fabric was invented by Thomas Burberry in 1879, and the brand continued to dress pioneers and adventurers across the globe.

Burberry agreed to make outfits from the original pattern and material for the documentary’s recreations. 

To bring Shackleton’s voyage to life, the team recreated the conditions in which the crew journeyed across the Antarctic by commissioning 10 replicas of the garments created by Burberry for Shackleton and his crew.

Made with then-revolutionary gabardine, the Burberry ensemble comprised an anorak, trousers and hood. The green colour was reportedly soothing for the eyes in snowy landscapes.

The film’s producer Ruth Johnston said: “I called Burberry soon after production began as they’re integral to this story. Shackleton’s men were wearing Thomas Burberry’s material, gabardine, and they wouldn’t have survived without it.

“In below-freezing temperatures in Iceland, the mountain guides who played the expedition crew were amazed at how well Burberry worked. It also was useful for us to have the original material at hand when it came to colour-treating the Burberry outfits.”

Carly Eck, brand curator of Burberry’s Archive, added: “Burberry gabardine… is woven into the history of polar exploration… worn by Shackleton for his Antarctic expeditions. We are delighted to have provided replica gabardine outfits for this defining documentary, which will bring this remarkable story to new audiences and future generations.”

Directed by award-winning filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, and director Natalie Hewit, Endurance, which tells the inspiring stories of two landmark expeditions, will be released later this year.

To celebrate the release of Endurance, Burberry will host two of the 10 replicas created for the documentary at its Regent Street, London, flagship for public view until 31 October.