Joan Berstein, co-founder of Browns boutique, died at the age of 101.

Joan Berstein, co-founder of the London boutique Browns, died at the age of 101. This was announced by Vogue magazine on April 18.

Berstein, who transformed British retail in the 1970s with her Browns boutique, passed away on Friday at the age of 100. Young world—renowned designers worked in her store," the publication says.

Berstein was one of the key figures in fashion retail and one of the first to support young designers by discovering new names. Among those whose careers she helped launch are John Galliano, Paul Smith, Hussein Chalayan and Alber Elbaz.

She founded the Browns boutique in 1970 with her husband Sidney Berstein. Through Browns, brands such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Comme des Garçons appeared in London. In 2006, Berstein received the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to fashion, and in 2015, the boutique was acquired by the Farfetch platform.