I love Orla Kiely. I met her husband Dermot at a business networking event years ago. He's a great talker, very humble and fascinating. I love how the husband and wife team have built up the business and managed to keep its identity so strong throughout the years. To be a household name as a print designer, like Orla Kiely, is the dream.
Currently there is an exhibition called Orla Kiely: A Life In Pattern at the Fashion and Textile Museum. A beautiful, intimate collection of Orla's clever prints which truly stand the test of time and look incredible on just about any item you can think of.
I just love the Fashion and Textile Museum building.
I don't usually associate Orla Kiely's designs with black but here is a collection which is still very much in her retro and feminine style.
Design studio set up. I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't see my desk while I'm working.
Easy to wear shapes in classic retro Orla Kiely prints.
Oversized printed garments. It was fab to see Orla's prints blown up on a large scale. Really, the motifs are so simple, but Orla has a clever way of repeating simple motif shapes and selecting interesting colour palettes to create an 'Orla Kiely' design which is not only recognisable, but also desirable.
And here I am with the print Queen, Orla Kiely. We met at her exhibition, the same day it was announced that the company had folded. Of course, I am completely gutted. Thank you Orla for all your fabulous work in bringing printed textiles to the attention of the masses and for building a business I am absolutely in awe of. In my eyes, your business was a huge success and it has inspired me to build my own brand and stay true to my design style.
Sign up to Samantha Warren's newsletter here.
Leave a comment