Luxury fashion house Burberry has unveiled a life-size hot air balloon installation and opened a pop-up store at London Heathrow Airport.
The installation is located in the Terminal 2 departure lounge and is intended to “celebrate the magic of flight”, Burberry said.
The Burberry Balloon stands over 15 metres tall and is inspired by the achievements of Air Commodore Edward Maitland. Along with fellow balloonists Auguste Gaudron and Charles Turner, Maitland travelled 1,117 miles from London to Russia in 1908, establishing the British long-distance, inflight record. He wore Burberry gabardine suiting for his historic flight in the ‘Mammoth’ balloon, protecting him from the hardships of cold at high altitude, the fashion house said.
The installation features dedicated iPads and Burberry post boxes, and travellers can create and print their own Burberry postcards and send them to friends and family. The cards can be personalised with a passenger’s name and travel destination, and feature illustrations. An animated video of the Burberry Balloon and its journey from Heathrow to the chosen destination can be shared on the user’s social media account.
An accompanying pop-up store features bags from Burberry’s DK88 collection, named after the house code for its signature honey-coloured gabardine. The DK88 comes in top handle, satchel and luggage-inspired styles for men and women, each featuring Burberry’s new Trench Leather.
Heathrow Retail and Service Director Chris Annetts said: “We are delighted to be working with Burberry on this exciting installation. The balloon will wow our passengers and immerse them in the magic of flying even before they reach their destination. With personalised postcards and the most exclusive products, the Burberry Balloon will be a memorable experience long after our passengers arrive home.”
The Burberry Balloon will be at Heathrow from 4 May to 7 August before embarking on the next leg of its world tour to a secret destination.
