Audience with fashion icon and visionary entrepreneur behind the global fashion empire, KAREN MILLEN OBE

We teamed up with London City Law Firm Lawrence Stephens to host one of the UK’s most influential businesswomen, Karen Millen OBE. From founding a small boutique in Kent with just £100 to building an internationally recognised fashion brand, Karen’s journey is a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and business acumen.

Co-founded in 1981, the eponymous Karen Millen brand quickly became an iconic name in British fashion, famed for its sophisticated, tailored womenswear and establishing a global presence in over 65 countries. After decades of leading the company, Karen made the bold decision to exit the business in 2004 following a landmark £120m sale to Icelandic bank Kaupthing, marking the end of a major era.

Stepping away from the brand that bore her name, Karen faced the challenge of rebuilding her career and redefining her identity. Rather than retreating, her entrepreneurial spirit prevailed as she embraced reinvention—channelling her decades of expertise into new ventures and mentoring the next generation of trailblazing entrepreneurs.