Yesterday, Burberry launched Art of the Trench, a brand new website devoted to chronicling the past, present and future of the iconic wardrobe staple. The site posts street style photos of people worldwide sporting their Burberry trenches. Art of the Trench has many future collaborations with street style and fashion photographers in the works, but they're setting the bar pretty high by commissioning Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist for the first collection of “trench portraits.” Professional photographers notwithstanding, Burberry invites you to submit your own photos of you or your friends wearing the Burberry trench. The site will select its favorite images to publish online to “create a body of images reflecting personal style from across the globe.”

The site also features a “Story of the Trench” link with a timeline that documents the history of the coat from the early 20^th century. The virtual archive of press clippings, displays, and vintage ad campaigns illustrates that the trench truly does have a place in history that transcends the realm of fashion. Though the trench has inevitably evolved throughout the years, Burberry has remained remarkably true to its roots and the original gabardine garment constructed by Thomas Burberry before the turn of the century. Weatherproof, tear proof, and durable, gabardine is still used to make modern Burberry trench coats.

Art of the Trench is not only a “living document” as the website claims, but also a social networking tool. With comment and share features, along with links to Facebook, Twitter, and Delicious, Art of the Trench encourages you to connect and share online. So, even those of us who aren't trench owners can get in on the action.