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Joan ‘Mrs. B’ Burstein, Pioneering Browns Co-Founder, Dies at 100

Her work at Browns launched generations of designers.

Overview

  • Her family confirmed she died at her home in Ibiza at age 100, where the industry knew her as “Mrs. B.”
  • She co-founded Browns in 1970 with her husband, Sidney, and built it into a London boutique known for new talent and global labels.
  • The store backed young designers such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Hussein Chalayan early in their careers.
  • Burstein set a clear retail credo, telling buyers “When in doubt, leave it out” and urging staff to ensure customers left looking good.
  • Her influence earned a CBE in 2006, and Browns later shifted from family ownership to Farfetch in 2015 and now sits under Coupang after Farfetch’s 2023 sale out of administration.