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 became the uniform of the era, with the added bonus of that whatever you bought, you could always get accessories to match. Miniskirts were causing a scene of their own, getting shorter by the week. Although not the first British designer to show the mini skirt, Biba was responsible for putting it on the high street and as miniskirts were in fashion, everything needed to be associated with them. Biba also brought out some of the first maxi coats. Biba's second store in London, the Kensington Church Street boutique, looked like an old apothecary on the outside with the wooden