Dorothy Perkins


Dorothy Perkins is a multinational women’s fashion retailer based in the United Kingdom. Dorothy Perkins sells both its own range of clothes and branded fashion goods. Dorothy Perkins is part of the Arcadia Group, which is controlled by Sir Philip Green.

History

Founded in 1909 under the name H. P. Newman, it changed its trading name to Dorothy Perkins in 1919. In the 1960s, Dorothy Perkins was controlled by the Farmer family, who used to own Winster Hosiery. Staff in the branches could expect regular visits from Alan Farmer, whose picture was printed in a booklet handed to new employees. Best known for its lingerie, tights, and sleepwear collections, its other clothes had a hard time competing with the more trendy Lewis Separates, now owned by River Island Clothing Company Ltd, and Peter Robinson.
In the late 1960s, Dorothy Perkins co-funded Biba's expansion into a large boutique on Kensington High Street. From 1970-73 it owned a 70% stake in the business allowing Biba to extend from womenswear into accessories, beauty products, menswear, childrens' clothing and home goods.
The Arcadia Group, then doing business as the Burton Group, purchased Dorothy Perkins in 1979.
in Leeds.
The Arcadia Group has a training programme, which offers financial incentives to employees to expand their responsibilities and knowledge of company and business affairs.
In 1994 Dorothy Perkins recruited celebrity Helena Christensen as the face of the brand. Yasmin Le Bon later joined Christensen as a face of Dorothy Perkins. In 2012, Khloe, Kourteney and Kim Kardashian launched the Kardashian Kollection with the fashion chain.
In July 2020, Arcadia Group, which comprises the Topshop and Dorothy Perkins fashion chains, has been hit hard by the lockdown and will now cut hundreds of jobs in an attempt to minimize costs. Topshop and Dorothy Perkins collective Arcadia to slash 500 jobs as Covid 19 's new victim.