There were the Fendi Monsters in the form of “bag bugs” followed by life-sized versions sitting front row at the brand’s Milan fashion show last year. Anya Hindmarch also had her mascots taking shape of Pac-Man and his pixellated nemeses, the jelly ghosts for Fall 2016. But this season, meet the Burberry Beasts.
These are the creatures you should be casting your eye on for gush-worthy bag charms. Despite its daunting moniker, Burberry’s Beasts collection is anything but gnarly. Taking its cue from dark illustrations of fictional fauna in medieval English manuscripts, the Brit house hatched these handworked little mascots into prints, embroidered appliqués on apparel and of course, leather goods.
Available in men’s, women’s and children’s collections, the Burberry Beasts appear in three forms of large bags: Crossbody bags, appliqués and prints on rucksacks. While for small leather goods, our furry friends are featured as key charms, wallets, card cases, coin cases, and pouches — all with hand-painted edges.
On the British house’s classic Mini Buckle bag silhouette, a wide-eyed owl has its multi-hued feathers covering the flap while its ochre yellow beak forms the signature clasp. And on one of the collectible key charms, the Burberry Beasts shape-shift into a porcupine with multicoloured spikes — a quirky element that’s bound to be a conversation starter.
Also available in ready-to-wear appreal, beast-incorporated paisley prints are rendered into a fluid summer dress for the women, and a bomber jacket for the men. Burberry’s classic Scottish cashmere scarves are embroidered in the motif, too.
This beastly takeover has just started in July. So if you’d like to give these Burberry Beasts a loving home, we suggest you do that soon, before everyone else beats you to it.
The Burberry Beasts collection are in stores now.
(All images: Burberry)