EP. 89 | Karen Millen OBE | Fashion, Finance and Philanthropy

In this episode, I chat with Karen Millen OBE, a seasoned entrepreneur and an icon of British fashion, recognised for her significant contributions to the fashion industry. We delve into topics like resilience in the face of challenges, the changing landscape of philanthropy, and the importance of financial literacy, especially for women. Karen's candid reflections offer valuable insights into entrepreneurship and personal growth, inspiring listeners to embrace perseverance and take control of their financial futures. Throughout our conversation, Karen's wisdom shines through as she shares her experiences and lessons learned, providing a wealth of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone navigating life's complexities.   To find out more about myself, the work I am involved in or the show – visit www.anitagoyal.com Or to get in touch with me you can email [email protected].  Thank you for listening and for all your support.   About Karen: From humble beginnings, Karen Millen OBE is an icon of British fashion, recognised for her significant contributions to the fashion industry.  Fresh out of Medway College of Design, Millen started her career in 1981 during a challenging economic period in Britain, eventually co-founding the renowned fashion brand Karen Millen with her partner Kevin Stanford. Karen Millen's designs gained widespread acclaim and were favoured by numerous celebrities, including Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, and members of the British Royal Family. In 2004, after parting ways with Kevin Stanford, Karen sold the business but continued to make a mark outside the fashion world through her philanthropic efforts. Her notable charitable endeavours include funding and establishing a school in South Africa with the charity HopeHIV and co-founding Teens Unite, a support network for young individuals facing life-limiting illnesses like cancer. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to British fashion, Karen Millen was awarded an OBE in 2007. Beyond her fashion success, she has demonstrated a commitment to education, receiving honorary doctorates and actively participating in student selections at The London Graduate Fashion Week. In recent years, Karen's passion for interiors led her to establish Home Monger LTD, an online retail brand offering curated homeware products sourced from her global travels. Despite her initial step back from the fashion industry, Karen made a triumphant return in 2023 when Karen Millen was acquired by the Boohoo group. She was invited to create a collection, "The Founder," reflecting her enduring influence and creativity in the ever-evolving fashion landscape and has since gone on to produce further collections for them, most recently her March Collection ‘Evolution’. https://www.karenmillen.com/womens/edits/the-founder Karen is the Co-Founder of Teens unite – cancer support  (non profit organisation) In 2007, Teens Unite was born after Debbie and Karen vowed to unite these young people and help them to rebuild their lives creating an inclusive family with a fun-loving and determined approach, where the young people can meet others who genuinely understand.  Teens Unite is a place empowering young people to embrace every moment and live life to the full. Teens :) Unite Fighting Cancer | Nobody likes the ‘C’ word’ (teensunite.org)