From Sidney Burstein, founder or Browns, has died | British Vogue | British Vogue:

Mr Burstein Remembered
BY DOLLY JONES
9 April 2010

SIDNEY BURSTEIN, the co-founder of London's iconic Browns boutique, died on Monday.

A legendary retailer who remained actively involved in the business he launched with his wife Joan — known throughout the fashion industry as Mrs. B — until the end of his life, Burstein kept abreast of all retail developments, successfully launching the Browns website eight years ago before most luxury retailers had registered their online potential. He was often seen chatting to customers in the South Molton Street store until just a few months ago.

Born in London in February 1917 to a Russian father and Polish mother, Burstein began his retail career with a lingerie shop in Kingston Applemarket called Wilbuer. He and Joan then went on to run Neatawear, a high street fashion chain.

Following the collapse of Neatawear in the Sixties, the Bursteins opened a shop on High Street Kensington called Feathers and — in 1970 — when their son Simon suggested to them that they buy a property on South Molton Street being sold by Sir William Piggott Brown, the Browns empire was born.

The business now comprises five interconnecting stores on South Molton Street, Labels For Less and Browns Focus across the street, a branch on Sloane Street, a bridal store, and its most recent incarnation — Browns Shoes on Brook Street.

Survived by his wife Joan, his son Simon, who now acts as CEO of Browns, and his daughter Caroline, whose role is creative director, Burstein died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

From Browns founder Sidney Burstein dies:

Browns founder Sidney Burstein dies
Sidney Burstein, co-founder of the iconic London indie Browns, died on Monday aged 93.
BY EVE OXBERRY
9 APRIL 2010

Burstein, who founded the independent designer emporium with his wife Joan Burstein in the 1970s, was a hugely influential retailer who remained involved in Browns until he died. He was publicly described by his wife as her “rock” in the business.

Sidney Burstein was born in 1917, the son of a Russian father and a Polish mother.

His first foray into retail came in 1948, when, along with his wife Joan and brother Willie, he launched a shop called Wilbuer in Kingston Applemarket, selling lingerie.

The three business partners then went on to run a store called Neatawear in Maidenhead, which grew into a women’s young fashion high street chain.

When the business collapsed in the mid-1960s, he and Joan launched an indie called Feathers in Kensington.

In 1970, Sidney and Joan Burstein took over their first store on South Molton Street, Browns, after previous owner Sir William Piggott Brown.

Since then, Browns has grown to include the five interconnecting designer stores on South Molton Street, a Labels For Less store, and Browns Focus, which launched in 1997 to sell younger, edgier brands. The portfolio also includes a bridal store, and last year, Browns Shoes opened on Brook Street in Mayfair.

Browns has always supported emerging British designers and stocks labels such as Christopher Kane and Mark Fast.

Sidney Burstein was a leader in e-commerce, launching the Browns website eight years ago, well before many other designer retailers.

He passed away peacefully on April 5 with his family at his side.