Browns

Time Out says

Tue Nov 30 1999

For the ultimate fashion fix look no further than Joan Burstein’s venerable store, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2010. Among the 100-odd designers jostling for attention at its five interconnecting shops are fashion heavyweights Chloé, Dries Van Noten, Balenciaga and Christian Dior. Burstein (aka ‘Mrs B’) has always championed the next-big-things from the fashion elite, so you’ll also find designs from rising stars like Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab and Todd Lynn, and shop exclusives are common.

The women’s shoe salon, meanwhile, showcases fabulous footwear from Alaïa, Alexander McQueen and Christian Louboutin. The two-floor menswear section brings together an unrivalled collection of high-end designer gear, from Dior Homme to Miu Miu. Across the road, Browns Focus caters for a younger crowd, with more accessibly priced labels, such as 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander Wang and Ann-Sofie Back, as well as shoes by Charlotte Olympia and denim from Superfine and J Brand. Up at no.50, the sale shop, Browns Labels for Less, is loaded with leftovers from the previous season.

Branches Browns Focus, 38-39 South Molton Street, W1K 5RD (7514 0000); Browns Labels For Less, 50 South Molton Street, W1K 5RD (7514 0000); Browns Bride, 11-12 Hinde Street, W1U 3BE (7514 0056); 6C Sloane Street, SW1X 4LE (7514 0049); Browns Shoes, 59 Brook Street, W1K 4HS (7514 0000).