LONDON — Browns Fashion has always been known for taking chances on young talent: Founder Joan Burstein famously bought John Galliano’s entire graduate collection off the Central Saint Martins catwalk and helped to launch the careers of the young Hussein Chalayan and Manolo Blahnik, among others. Now, it’s hired CSM student Conner Ives to create a range of T-shirt dresses for the store.
Although the retailer may now have a different owner, branding, strategy — as well as an edgy new store called Browns East in east London — the store is staying true to its gutsy, independent-minded ethos.
“It’s the 2.0 version. I just want to really push Browns to the forefront and take it one step further because we have a bigger team now,” said women’s wear buying director Ida Petersson, who has been focusing on adopting a global perspective and introducing new talent from across the globe that’s often sourced via Instagram.
The latest name on her list is Conner Ives, an American-born, London-based young designer who may still be in the midst of finishing his design degree at Central Saint Martins, but who has already garnered attention, after sharing his designs on Instagram and scoring commissions from the likes
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