Burberry

It’s a British invasion as one of England’s most recognizable checkered exports arrives in Minnesota. Our familiarity with  Burberry (S178, Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-854-7000), the British luxury leather-and-outerwear house, probably was born in the glory days of Hollywood cinema. With its epaulets, straps, and D-rings, the Burberry trench coat (once a regulation raincoat for British officers) was popularized in films such as Casablanca and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. For postwar Americans, a Burberry trench became a wardrobe must-have—a closet staple that was both practical and chic. Founded in 1856, Burberry has been an internationally recognized British leather and outerwear house for years, but since creative director Christopher Bailey came onboard in 2001, it has reemerged as one of the premier houses for fashion-forward women’s ready-to-wear as well.

But these days Burberry is about more than trenches and has become a globally renowned fashion and luxury house. Because of its increase in recognition among youth and international tourists, Burberry chose to take its classic trenches, ready-to-wear, and chic accessories to the Mall of America, moving to a location across the corridor from Bloomingdale’s. Burberry’s entrance into this market and the United States’ largest mall makes sense—MOA attracts more than 40 million visitors each year.

The 4,402-square-foot boutique adheres to the practical and sophisticated style that first made Burberry popular—Burberry–check scarves, the trench, plush cashmere—but it has also injected a bit of fashion-forward chic with designs by Bailey, including studded leather platforms, shiny patent leather, and ankle booties. The store is ultraclean, ultrawhite, and puts the focus on the merchandise. The current season’s runway shows play on flat-screen televisions, and the well-groomed store clerks are eager to help guests find something they’ll cherish for years to come.