What the Team Are Wearing to the Office

Delivering style inspiration for your working week, the KM Team share the outfits they’re wearing to the office, what they love most about working for the brand, and their advice on getting into the fashion industry.

What advice would you give someone pursuing a career in fashion?

“If it's something you are passionate about, do it. Passion will get you so far, do whatever it takes to get you to where you want to be. Be open to different opportunities that come your way around fashion, the universe has a way of putting things in your path that are meant for you. Work hard and don't give up, the right people will notice you and your talents, and it will all pay off in the end, it always does.”

How did you get into your role?

“My mum has always been a massive Karen Millen fan and shopped with the brand in the ‘90s when it opened on Bold Street, Liverpool. She knew all the staff in the Liverpool store and was close with the manager, as she was a die-hard fan. One day, she asked if they were hiring (without even asking me). I had an interview, got the job and I worked my way up to Assistant Manager of the store. I worked my way up again from the bottom once the brand moved to an online E-commerce platform, and I continue to work hard to move higher up the ladder. My career at Karen Millen has come full circle, from working in-store to now online, and I feel very lucky to still be working here. I will have been with the brand for 10 years this October!”

What is your favourite thing about working for Karen Millen?

“My favourite thing about working for Karen Millen is that there is no one on the high street like us. No one does it the way KM does it, from the designs to the culture. We are one of a kind and I feel very lucky to be a part of that. I have grown up around Karen Millen pieces from a young age, watching my mum, a strong independent businesswoman, style KM and seeing how confident and glamorous she was. I will never forget the energy she oozed, that’s why I am so passionate about doing my part to make all women who shop with us feel that way too, no matter their age, body shape or career.”

How would you describe your workwear aesthetic?

“I’d call my workwear aesthetic ‘polished comfort’. I like to be relaxed with my office style but feel put together at the same time.”

What advice would you give someone pursuing a career in fashion?

“I didn’t start my career in fashion, but I knew that was my end goal. I made sure to develop my skill set throughout my early career and would often attend events or talks where I could connect with people who did work in fashion. Then when it came to applying for a role in the industry, I had a lot of transferable experience I could add to my CV and talk about in interviews. I’d say it may take time to reach this goal but keep going and don’t give up.”

Can you tell us about an exciting project you’re currently working on?

“We’ve got a lot of exciting things coming up at Karen Millen this year. But something I’m loving working on right now, is everything we’ve got planned for autumn. I have never been so excited by a collection, so it’s been fun thinking about the social content we can shoot to support this. So, watch this space.”

How did you get into your role?

“After completing my degree in Marketing and gaining digital marketing experience in the beauty industry, I decided to transition to fashion, as I felt called to work in a dynamic and exciting environment. With a family background in CRM, I was inspired to start my own CRM journey in an industry I love, this led me to the incredible opportunity at Karen Millen.”

What does a day in your life look like?

"I love balancing my work and personal life equally. During my work hours, I focus on my priorities and collaborate with my team. After work, I spend my time engaging in activities that relax and inspire me, such as attending yoga classes, experimenting with new recipes, or socialising with friends and family.”

What is your favourite thing about working for Karen Millen?

“My favourite thing about working for Karen Millen is having the chance to collaborate with an empowering and talented team. Their energy and creativity inspire me every day, and all together we create an exciting and fulfilling work environment.”

What does a day in your life look like?

“I never start the day without a coffee and can’t live without my ‘to do list’ to organise my day. I’m always keeping up with current trends, affairs, and weather to assist my visual merchandising. I am accountable for performing regular onsite checks of newly published lines and promotions. If I’m not at reformer pilates on my breaks, you’ll find me shopping around town looking for the latest trends to support brand communications and conduct competitor site reports.”

How would you describe your workwear aesthetic?

“My favourite colour is black and you’ll rarely find me in colour! I love simple designs with striking details, like the blazer I’m wearing today with the Bardot neckline and cinched waist. Being 4 ft 11, the KM petite range is always my go-to, it cinches in the right places.”

Can you tell us about an exciting project you’re currently working on?

“Working in fashion, we are always ahead of the game. I’m currently focusing on our AW24 trends, as I’m responsible for updating, maintaining and merchandising category pages with the new products that have been published. Our design director presented the key trends of the season, which inspired me to brainstorm how we can execute this across site from an E-commerce point of view.”