The Brand Recreated the Burberry Garments Worn for Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition for the Endurance Documentary
Over a century after Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition, Burberry has recreated the historic garments worn by Shackleton and his crew for National Geographic’s documentary Endurance. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, follows Shackleton’s iconic journey and survival story after his ship, the Endurance, was trapped in Antarctic ice in 1914.
For Shackleton and his men, survival in Antarctica relied heavily on Burberry gabardine, a durable, weather-resistant fabric invented by Thomas Burberry in 1879. Known for its lightweight yet protective qualities, gabardine allowed the crew to endure extreme conditions while providing comfort during their arduous trek. “Burberry gabardine, the breathable and weatherproof fabric invented by our founder, is woven into the history of polar exploration and was worn by Shackleton for his Antarctic expeditions, including the Endurance,” said Carly Eck, Brand Curator of Burberry’s archive.
The documentary recreates the conditions Shackleton and his team faced by using replicas of the original Burberry garments. Ten replicas were crafted for the film, based on designs that included an anorak, trousers, and hood made from gabardine, offering both mobility and protection. The replicas were even used by mountain guides during production in Iceland, where they provided warmth and authenticity to the scenes. “It’s the greatest survival tale ever told, but the world may have forgotten the details,” said director Jimmy Chin. “It was very humbling and eye-opening.”
Producer Ruth Johnston highlighted the role Burberry played in the production: “‘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. Burberry agreed to make outfits from the original pattern and material for our recreations. 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, which are frequent in Hurley’s footage!”
The recreated garments from Endurance will be on display at Burberry’s flagship store on Regent Street from October 12 to October 31, offering the public a chance to glimpse the enduring legacy of Burberry gabardine and its pivotal role in one of history’s most harrowing survival stories.
