Browns Sugar

What Mr. Hare is about to share with you may temporarily pin the economy to it's downward trend until the end of January 09.

Browns are opening a 12,000sqft stand alone shoe store in what was formerly known as Browns Bride. (63 Brook Street W1, opposite Claridges) That makes it London's first multibrand designer shoe boutique.

Azzedine Alaia, Balenciaga, Balmain, Chloe, Christian Louboutin, Dries Van Noten, Marni, Martin Margiela, Nicolas Kirkwood, Rupert Sanderson and Rick Owens are all signed up so far and have promised exclusives to the store. That isn't even the best news.

The lower ground floor (underground, get me?) is entirely dedicated to men's shoes and accessories. Comme, Raf, YSL, Lanvin, Rick and Bottega as well as cutting edge new talent.

Mr. Hare is beside himself.

The press release says "This will be a safe haven for 'the other halves' to not only browse for themselves but catch up on work with our laptop service or just relax with a coffee and a newspaper." WORK? RELAX? NEWSPAPERS? Mr. Hare believes they are seriously underestimating the force within us Noveau Hommes des Chaussures.

There will be a bespoke shoe service, repairs and special events. Intriguing!

So you may wish to re-assess your Christmas shopping budget and call some friendships into question as there are serious shoe issues on the horizon. Mr. Brown's Retail Jumpstart will just have to wait. Watch this space!