Register to Drapers to read ONE FREE article and a FREE digital edition

Register now
You can use WP menu builder to build menus

Register to Drapers to read ONE FREE article and a FREE digital edition

Register now

Karen Millen

Womenswear brand Karen Millen was founded in Maidstone, Kent, in 1981 by Karen Millen and Kevin Stanford selling white shirts before expanding into tailoring and occasionwear. The first store opened in 1983, leading to rapid expansion. In 2004, the founders sold the business, and ownership was eventually transferred to Aurora Fashions and then Kaupthing Bank. By 2016, Karen Millen operated 84 UK and Ireland stores, and 73 internationally. It bought sister brand Coast out of administration in 2018. In 2019, Karen Millen went into administration, and Boohoo Group bought the brand – but not stores – for £18.2m. 

News

PrettyLittleThing-Molly-Mae-February-2022-smaller1-492x328.jpg

PrettyLittleThing: Who will snap up the struggling Gen Z brand?

As Debenhams Group looks to offload PrettyLittleThing (PLT), Drapers speaks to retail experts and analysts about their thoughts on the youth brand's demise and who is most likely to acquire it.

Exclusive
Seraphine-merchandising-and-supply-chain-director-Harshini-Patel-492x328.webp

Debenhams Group taps ex Seraphine director for Karen Millen interim role

Harshini Patel, former merchandising and supply chain director at Seraphine, has started an interim role as commercial director at Karen Millen, Drapers can reveal.

Lydia-Millen-for-Karen-Millen-3x2-1-492x328.webp

First look: Lydia Millen takes a journey 'though the archives' for Karen Millen

Ahead of the launch of her 14th collection with Karen Millen, social media influencer Lydia Millen shares her thoughts on the collaboration, favourite customer memories and learnings from working with the iconic British womenswear brand.

Karen-Millen-Simon-Harrison-492x328.webp

Karen Millen names jewellery licensee

Boohoo Group-owned womenswear brand Karen Millen has partnered with fashion jewellery licensee Simon Harrison.

130824_KM-FALL-LOCATION_MR_LOOK-15_1283-492x328.webp

Karen Millen lands in India

Premium womenswear brand Karen Millen is set to launch wholesale into 50 stores in India, which will be opened by fashion platform Lyskraft over the coming years.

04_LYDIA_MILLEN_115-scaled-e1716480711790-492x328.jpg

In pictures: Karen Millen x Lydia Millen

Boohoo Group-owned womenswear brand Karen Millen has today launched a 29-piece summer 24 collection in collaboration with social media influencer Lydia Millen.

See more

Analysis and commentary

See More
Advertisement

Get full access to all the fashion industry news and intelligence you need

Subscribe today
COPYRIGHT © 2026 EMAP PUBLISHING LIMITED