Karen Millen was founded in 1981 by Kevin Stanford and Karen Millen. With a loan of just £100 they began manufacturing and selling white shirts to their friends. A party plan network followed, and in 1983 they opened their first store in Kent.

The company has continued to expand, and its global presence now stretches from the UK to Europe, Russia, Asia and Australia.

Gemma Metheringham became creative director in 2006, overseeing a team of 12 designers that work on their ready to wear, accessories and lingerie collections.

In March 2009 Karen Millen became part of Aurora Fashions.

In March 2011 it was announced that Karen Millen would be established as an independent company, with Derek Lovelock as Executive Chairman, working with Joint Managing Directors Gemma Metheringham and Steve Price.