Karen Millen returns to physical retail through TFG partnership

British womenswear brand Karen Millen is making its return to the high street through a new wholesale partnership with The Foschini Group (TFG), the parent company of Hobbs, Phase Eight and Whistles.

The brand will first be stocked in TFG’s Fosse Park store in Leicester from August 14, before rolling out into locations at Aberdeen Union Square and Liverpool One. Additional concessions will follow at a later date.

Each site will offer a curated selection of Karen Millen’s occasionwear and bestsellers, including its ‘Forever Collection’, a lineup of garments designed to draw on the brand’s 45 years of existence.

The relaunch, which responds to customer demand a press release said, comes seven years after Karen Millen closed its bricks-and-mortar stores after falling into administration.

The company, alongside its sister label Coast, was rescued by Debenhams Group – formerly Boohoo Group – in an 18.2 million pound deal that only included the online business and name, resulting in the closures of 117 department store concessions and 32 stores.

Now, things are looking up for Karen Millen. In Debenhams’ most recent financial report, the brand was reported to be performing as a premium asset, maintaining significant global market potential.

Group CEO Dan Finley said bringing Karen Millen back to the high street was a “significant moment”, with physical retail providing an opportunity for customers to experience the brand in different ways.

“Working with TFG allows us to bring 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,” he added.