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Ghost of fashion past

Burberry’s Christmas ad campaign 2016 is here! Watch Sienna Miller and Domhnall Gleeson in The Tale of Thomas Burberry

YES, the competition for the best seasonal advert has already kicked off.

As the nation highly anticipates the release of the iconic annual John Lewis ad, other brands have set the bar for this year’s festive showdown.

Luxury brand Burberry are among the first to unveil their Christmassy promotions, and it’s safe to say that they’ve pulled out all the stops this year.

Like the ghost of fashion past, the advert delves into the designer’s history, focusing mainly on their founder.

It takes viewers on a journey through the company’s history, highlighting how the world renowned fashion house has got to where it is today.

The clip focuses mainly on the first love of Thomas Burberry, the founder of the fashion brand
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The clip focuses mainly on the first love of Thomas Burberry, the founder of the fashion brandCredit: Burberry
It focuses on a number of key historic moments, including pilot Betty Kirby Green
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It focuses on a number of key historic moments, including pilot Betty Kirby GreenCredit: Burberry

Captivating moments include remembering Burberry’s sponsorship of pilot Betty Kirby Green as well as the invention of gabardine, which still features on the designer’s waterproof jackets today.

World War One and Sir Ernest Shakleton's expedition to the Antarctic are among other historic snapshots honoured in the footage.

An all-star cast features in the short clip directed by Asif Kapadia, which has been titled The Tale of Thomas Burberry.

The two leading characters are played by Domhnall Green and Sienna Miller
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The two leading characters are played by Domhnall Green and Sienna MillerCredit: Burberry
The love story finishes in a festive flourish
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The love story finishes in a festive flourishCredit: Burberry

In celebration of the brand’s 160th anniversary, Star Wars actor Domhnall Gleeson plays Thomas Burberry.

Stunning model and actress Sienna Miller has been cast as the character of Thomas Burberry’s first love.

If that wasn’t exciting enough, Cinderella actress Lily James and The Wire’s Dominic West complete the A-List line-up.

Lily James' character Betty Dawson flew the record-breaking Burberry plane from England to Cape Town
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Lily James' character Betty Dawson flew the record-breaking Burberry plane from England to Cape TownCredit: Burberry

There's no doubt that viewers will be chuffed to see Lily James again, as the stunning model sent pulses races when she stripped off in Burberry's raciest advert to date. 

Christopher Bailey, a chief executive and creative at Burberry, revealed: “This Christmas, as we celebrate our 160th anniversary we wanted to tell the story of Thomas Burberry – pioneer, inventor, innovator, and the man behind the iconic trenchcoat – in our own words.

“The film we have made is a brief glimpse inspired by his full and extraordinary life, which threaded its way through the history of the 20th century in all its tumultuous highs and lows.”

Dominic West has taken up the role of the infamous polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton
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Dominic West has taken up the role of the infamous polar explorer Sir Ernest ShackletonCredit: Burberry
Sienna Miller has returned to another Burberry campaign to play the role of Thomas Burberry's first love
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Sienna Miller has returned to another Burberry campaign to play the role of Thomas Burberry's first loveCredit: Burberry

The seasonal Burberry advert isn’t the first to sweep the nation in early November.

Luxury retail store Harrods have produced an advert that is bound to go down a treat with British families.

The adorable promotion follows the story of Hugh the bear, who manages to rescue Christmas after disaster strikes.

Last year, Sainsbury’s Mog the cat offering became a family favourite, but what will they be releasing this year?

Marks and Spencer are another company that always bring their Christmas A-game, and shoppers are already trying to guess which song they’ll choose to front this year’s campaign.


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