Parker is a premium brand of women’s apparel in the junior, missy, and contemporary categories. Founded in 2008 by Howard Highman, Laurieanne Gilner, and Derek Farrar, the company was started to fill a void for true contemporary women’s apparel. Parker is known for its key design elements: striking prints on fine fabric, flirty silhouette-enhancing cuts, bold colors, and versatility of use.
The company currently sells in approximately 30 countries including premium department stores as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus and specialty boutiques as Intermix, Madison, Ron Herman, and Stanley Korshak. In 2013, Parker partnered with OneStop Internet and launched its own e-commerce site.
Parker engaged The Sage Group to explore M&A options in the market. Ultimately, the company decided to sell to Kellwood Company, a leading provider of women’s apparel in the junior, missy, and contemporary categories.