Browns (fashion boutique)
Encyclopedia
Browns is an independent fashion boutique in London, United Kingdom. It was founded by Joan Burstein and husband Sidney in 1970. The flagship store on London's South Molton Street
is famous for its long window displays, which once featured John Galliano
's graduate collection.
Mrs Burstein is credited with discovering such talents as John Galliano
, Alexander McQueen
, Hussein Chalayan
and Comme des Garçons
. Browns was the first store in the UK to stock Calvin Klein
, Ralph Lauren
, Armani, Donna Karan
and Jil Sander
.
The store is dedicated to promoting new design talent and has recently championed designers such as Phillip Lim
and Alexander Wang
.
In July 2011, Mrs Burstein appeared as VOGUE.COM's Today I'm Wearing guest, giving readers a peek into her amazing wardrobe and sartorial choices by posting a picture daily for one month.
and a smaller Browns store on Sloane Street
, Knightsbridge
.
South Molton Street
South Molton Street is a street in Mayfair in London which runs from Oxford Street to Brook Street.The street was built in the mid-18th century as part of the Conduit Mead Estate. It was extensively rebuilt about 1900 but many of the original Georgian houses remain...
is famous for its long window displays, which once featured John Galliano
John Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
's graduate collection.
History
Joan Burstein created Browns with her husband Sidney in 1970. Once a small boutique housed on the ground floor at 27 South Molton Street, Browns rapidly became one of London's main fashion destinations and grew quickly, expanding through five connecting townhouses.Mrs Burstein is credited with discovering such talents as John Galliano
John Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
, Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen
Lee Alexander McQueen, CBE was a British fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose strength with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows...
, Hussein Chalayan
Hussein Chalayan
Hussein Chalayan MBE is a British/Turkish Cypriot fashion designer who graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1993.- Biography :...
and Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons
Comme des Garçons, written コム・デ・ギャルソン in Japanese and French for "Like Boys," is a Japanese fashion label headed by Rei Kawakubo, who owns the company with her husband Adrian Joffe....
. Browns was the first store in the UK to stock Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein
Calvin Richard Klein is an American fashion designer who launched the company that would later become Calvin Klein Inc. in 1968. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewelry....
, Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
, Armani, Donna Karan
Donna Karan
Donna Karan is an American fashion designer and the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels.-Early life:...
and Jil Sander
Jil Sander
Heidemarie Jiline 'Jil' Sander is a minimalist German fashion designer and the founder of the Jil Sander fashion house....
.
The store is dedicated to promoting new design talent and has recently championed designers such as Phillip Lim
Phillip Lim
3.1 Philip Lim is Lim's fashion label. It is projected to have sales of 60 million USD in 2011.-Collections:For the line's fall 2006 collection, Lim aimed to "inject some 'street elegance'" into his designs...
and Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang may refer to:*Leehom Wang, Alexander Lee-Hom Wang, Taiwanese-American musician*Alexander Wang , the American designer...
.
In July 2011, Mrs Burstein appeared as VOGUE.COM's Today I'm Wearing guest, giving readers a peek into her amazing wardrobe and sartorial choices by posting a picture daily for one month.
Stores
Browns currently has six stores: Browns, Labels for Less and Browns Focus on South Molton Street, Browns Bride on Hinde Street, Browns Shoe Boutique on Brooke St MayfairMayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
and a smaller Browns store on Sloane Street
Sloane Street
Sloane Street is a major London street which runs north to south, from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square, crossing Pont Street about half way along, entirely in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Sloane Street takes its name from Sir Hans Sloane, who purchased the surrounding area in 1712...
, Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
.