Molly Parkin College, London, and then a scholarship to Brighton College of Art. After marriage she became a teacher, painting throughout this period. After a series of affairs, including a long-term association with James Robertson Justice, Parkin separated from her husband at the start of the 1960s; at this time she lost the desire, inspiration and passion to continue with her artwork. To support her two daughters, Parkin turned to fashion. After making hats and bags for Barbara Hulanicki at Biba, and working alongside Mary Quant, she opened her own Chelsea boutique, which was featured in a "Newsweek" article about Swinging London.
Biba of mail-order catalogues followed in 1968, which allowed customers to buy Biba style without having to come to London. The next move, in 1969, was to Kensington High Street, into a store which previously sold carpet. Again, it was unique; a mix of Art Nouveau decor and Rock and Roll decadence. On 1 May 1971 a bomb was set off inside the store by The Angry Brigade. They claimed responsibility for it in Communique 8, which was published in "IT" magazine. In 1973 with the backing of Dorothy Perkins and British Land, the store moved to the seven-storey Derry &