Would you have had the courage to leave home at just fifteen to seek a better life in the West? With no English, no money, and no idea what awaited you?
That is exactly what Moishe David Osinsky, born in Kurkliai and later known around the world as Sir Montague Burton, did in 1900. He arrived in Great Britain fleeing anti-Jewish pogroms, with almost nothing to his name. Just three years later, he opened his first shop in Chesterfield.
Over time, he built one of the largest men’s clothing companies in 20th-century Britain, became a symbol of democratic fashion, and in 1931 was knighted for his business achievements and his progressive approach to employee welfare.
Burton believed that a well-made, classic suit should not be a luxury reserved for the privileged. At his shops, anyone could order a made-to-measure suit at an affordable price.
Why does Burton’s story matter today?
⚫ His vision of affordable, accessible fashion helped lay the foundations for the modern ready-to-wear clothing industry.
⚫ The British expression “the full monty”, meaning the complete three-piece outfit or, more broadly, “the whole thing,” is traditionally associated with the name Montague Burton.
⚫ Believing in giving back to the society in which he had built not only his business but also his name and status, Burton devoted a substantial part of his wealth to establishing university professorships and supporting students’ education. His generosity helped educate and clothe generations of businesspeople and professionals.
⚫ The story of this ambitious young man is a reminder that even someone from a small town can become part of the history of business and culture on a global scale.
What can you see in the exhibition?
🔵 A unique Burton jacket, acquired by the National Museum of Lithuania in 2023 for the exhibition “Lithuania: A Country of World Scale.”
🔵 One of the most significant English-language monographs about Sir Montague Burton, which visitors can browse and read.
🔵 Rare historical photographs, fabric samples that visitors can touch, and detailed information about Burton’s life and legacy.
🔵 A short introductory film.
🔵 The third issue of the Anykščiai magazine Kultūros kurortas, featuring fashion journalist Deimantė Bulbenkaitė’s article introducing readers to Moishe David Osinsky. The magazine is free – we invite you not only to read it, but to take a copy home with you.
We look forward to welcoming you! The exhibition is open until 13 September, Thursday to Sunday, 12 noon–5 p.m.
More about Montague Burton: Anykstenai.lt – Montague Burton
Watch the recording of the exhibition opening: Exhibition opening – Kurkliai Synagogue
We extend our sincere thanks to Giedrė Milerytė-Japertienė for her excellent presentation of Burton’s life and for sharing new and previously little-known facts; to the National Museum of Lithuania for lending the remarkable jacket; to the Lithuanian Council for Culture and Anykščiai District Municipality for their financial support; Leeds Museums and Galleries for the historical photographs; to Kultūros kurortas magazine and journalist Deimantė Bulbenkaitė for the article about M. Burton; to the regional news portal Anykšta; www.anyksta.lt;to Justė Lotyš and to all our colleagues at the Anykščiai Arts Center whose help made it possible to bring this exhibition to Kurkliai and present it so beautifully.