The Tamesis
Joan Burstein, who transformed British retail in the 1970s with her boutique Browns, died on Friday aged 100. Her store champions young designers and international celebrities, from John Galliano and Paul Smith to Giorgio Armani.
Ms. B, affectionately known as “Browns” in the fashion industry, founded Browns in 1970 with her late husband, Sidney Burnstein. The couple played an important role in the careers of several British designers. Burnstein purchased John Galliano’s entire graduate collection from Central Saint Martins in 1984 and displayed it in her shop window. She also highlights the work of Hussein Chalayan and Alber Elbaz.
Her children, Simon Burstein and Caroline Hammond, said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that we report that our wonderful mother Joan Burstein CBE passed away peacefully. “She celebrated her 100th anniversary with great joy earlier this year. birthday – dancing to a swing band and surrounded by people who loved her, was a perfect fit for such a vibrant life. She leaves a huge legacy and will be deeply missed by her two children, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and the many people she touched.”
Mrs. B’s charisma has attracted many designers to join Browns. In 1981, she met Calvin Klein at Studio 54 and soon the designer’s work was stocked in the South Molton Street store. More designers followed. Between 1982 and 1986, Browns added Missoni, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Alaïa to its roster of brands. In 1987, Browns became the first boutique to compete with Rei Kawakubo’s Commes des Garçons.
In 1997, Bernstein opened Brown’s Focus, a store centered around emerging designers that would eventually stock Christopher Kane and Simone Rocha.
Ms B’s incredible contribution to the British fashion industry was recognized in 2006 when she was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to the industry. “I’m so excited about it – now I just have to worry about what to wear for the Queen!” she said at the time.
Being a family business is very important to the Burstein family. In 2007, their son Simon took over as managing director of Browns, while his sister Caroline was appointed creative director. That same year, Browns went digital with an e-commerce website.
