Product range. Womenswear, footwear, and accessories. Karen Millen designers favour bodycon dresses, pencil skirts, chanelesque tweed jackets, skinny jeans, and understated tailored trousers. Most of the pieces have a fitted waist to accentuate the curves. Many of them also feature lacework and somewhat rudimentary floral or geometric prints (like stripes and zigzags). The palettes are usually vibrant and contrasty. Karen Millen collections are reminiscent of the wardrobe of a single business lady, who occasionally enjoys romantic dinners in plush restaurants. During the office hours, dressed in kickflare black trousers and a white blouse with cuffs, she's busy reprimanding her subordinates for being sloppy, while in the evenings, wearing a low V-neck satin bodycon dress, she sips champagne in company, with her admirer, atop the Shard. Naturally, not even for a moment she takes off her high heels.
Chic. Arguable, given that long past are the days when stressing sex appeal was in vogue. Karen Millen is not about being natural and comfortable, nor is it about loving your body. That said, the brand remains relatively popular with the UK public.
Originality. Karen Millen is a go-to for dresses for your best friend's wedding, corporate events, or a Christmas party. The brand has its own signature style that is both reserved and festive at the same time.
Pricing. Dresses, on the average, are £230, leather jackets are £260, blouses and skirts are £16.
Corporate history highlights. The company was founded by Karen Millen and Kevin Stanford in 1981. They started out by selling white shirts to their friends. This helped Karen and Kevin to launch their first store two years later. Until the early 1990s Karen Millen clothes were handmade, but later they switched to machine made fashion to accommodate the rapid growth of the company.
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