Brown's

London's most influential boutique in the last century, Brown's flagship on South Molton Street has been at the centre of the most iconic eras and seen megawatt designers come and go. Headed up by the venerable and revered Joan Burstein, the boutique is notable for its support of small and up-and-coming designers as well as its remarkable shoe collection and constellation of covetable designers. Burstein (or Mrs B, as she is affectionately referred to) is credited with discovering the talents of Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and John Galliano, who's graduate collection was proudly displayed in the windows of the boutique way back when.

The best of the fashion world is to be found here, with universally lauded collections by the likes of Balenciaga, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs and Jil Sander stocked to unusual depth, as well as edgier lines by designers like Comme des Garcons, Maison Martin Margiela and Rick Owens well-represented. New kids on the block like Alex Wang are stocked here as well. The store is deceptively large, and spans five town houses, while staff are extremely knowledgeable and professional.

Opening Hours - Mon-Sat 1000 to 1830, Thurs 1000 to 1900, closed Sundays.

Nearest Tube - Bond Street