Christopher Bailey will receive a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to fashion following his departure from Burberry after 17 years. He rose through the ranks to become its creative director and president in his first decade at the company. Bailey was on the Queen’s New Year’s Honors list, which was released Saturday, December 29.
He stepped down from his post in March 2018. His last fashion show was at the London Fashion Week in February, which was dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. Model Cara Delevingnee wrapped up the shindig with this iconic rainbow coat.
Bailey joined in 2001 when he was 29 years old and transformed the brand into a household name worldwide. He attended the Royal College of Art, which granted him an honorary degree in 2013.
But what will Bailey be doing with his spare time now that he isn’t at Burberry? “I’m going to definitely spend time with my two beautiful little girls, and then I’m exploring, I’m talking to people,” Bailey said. “I’m still curious, but I really very genuinely haven’t decided how I want this next phase of my life… But I feel very calm about it.”
As for his time at Burberry, Bailey said, “I’ve been really fortunate to have worked somewhere that I loved, so I’m not in a rush to run into something. I want to take my time. And that could end up being something big again or could end up being something tiny and very artisanal.”
Burberry is in good hands though, as the former creative director of Givenchy has taken the helm. This is none other than Riccardo Tisci, who has already put his mark on the company with a new logo.
Other people on the list include 1960s fashion icon Twiggy, author Margaret Atwood (who wrote the book that inspired the hit Netflix show, The Handmaid’s Tale), and England football manager Gareth Southgate.