Browns was established on Auckland's Remuera Road in 1992 by Bob and Lyn Bilkey, who also owned the jewellery retailer Bilkey & Co. They bought the shop next door and established Browns at a time when there were few fashion outlets in Remuera. A few years after opening, the Bilkey's saw the need to launch their own Browns brand to provide basic pieces to go with the other brands they stocked and to provide stability for the business by improving their margins. Daughters Kirsten Lloyd and Jenefer Bilkey were also involved in the family business working in the store while at university. Jenefer bought the Browns Eatery and Store on Remuera Road, which was also part of the family business and Kirsten stayed with fashion. The fashion business was put on the market in 2019.