Christopher Bailey has never wanted his own fashion line.
Christopher Bailey
The Burberry chief creative officer - who recently stepped down as CEO to focus on the artistic aspects of the company - insists he has always been happy to be "number two" to the iconic brand and has no "ego" about his role.
He said: "You do have to leave your ego at the door.
"That was something that was very clear to me - and I've never aspired to have my own brand.
"I was always happier as a number two and when you're working for an iconic, heritage brand, you are a number two because the brand is number one and it always will be."
And Christopher admits he still feels a sense of "responsibility" to Thomas Burberry, who founded the British brand in 1856 and despite his high position within the company, he only feels like he is "looking after" it until someone else comes along.
He told Harper's Bazaar magazine: "[If I could speak to Burberry, I would say], 'I hope we've done OK by you.' And I think he'd probably say, 'You could have done better.'
"I definitely feel a sense of responsibility to him, because it takes great courage to build something that has your name on it and I don't wear that responsibility lightly.
"But I also have an innate sense that I'm only looking after this company until it's time to pass it on to somebody else - and that makes me want to do what's right for Burberry in the long term."
The 45-year-old designer is incredibly loyal to the fashion house and proud of its creations.
Asked what he is wearing, he replied: "Burberry, head to toe, down to my undies."
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