Karen Millen, the British fashion brand favoured by Kate Middleton, has returned to the UK high street after seven years. The retailer, which collapsed into administration in 2019, has today opened a new concession in Fosse Park in Leicester, allowing shoppers to browse its products in person once more.
New store openings
Two more locations will open later in the month on August 17 in Aberdeen’s Union Square and Liverpool ONE. The spaces will be housed in stores run by The Foschini Group (TFG) and each concession will offer a collection of Karen Millen clothing, including its Forever Collection, in sizes 6 to 18.
Before its administration, Karen Millen had 32 stores and 117 department store concessions. Since then, customers have only been able to purchase its clothing online.
Ownership and background
Karen Millen was brought out of administration alongside its sister brand Coast in 2019 by Boohoo, later renamed Debenhams Group, for £18.2 million.
Dan Finley, chief executive of Debenhams Group, said: “Karen Millen is a brand with real heritage, recognition and a loyal customer base, so bringing it back to the high street is a significant moment.
“Our customers want great fashion, but they also want to experience brands in different ways, and physical retail gives us another opportunity to do that.
“Working with TFG allows us to bring the Karen Millen signature craftsmanship and occasionwear to a new generation of customers, while building on the strength of a brand that has been part of British fashion for more than four decades.”
Related retail news
In more retail news, it was this week revealed that Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has bought Harvey Nichols after the department store chain fell into administration.
The rescue deal, which will secure the future of more than 1,000 workers, will also include Harvey Nichols’ online business and its product inventory. Harvey Nichols’ international franchise stores will continue to trade as part of the deal.
However, the OXO restaurant launched by Harvey Nichols in 1996 at the OXO Tower building on London’s South Bank was not included and has been acquired by another buyer.
Frasers Group’s chief executive Michael Murray said: “Harvey Nichols is an iconic British institution with significant potential, but it is clear meaningful change is needed.
“The turnaround will require tough choices and we are prepared to make those decisions, even if that means a smaller business in the near term, to create a stronger and more sustainable Harvey Nichols for the long term.”
