It's pretty well documented that I'm a fan of Orla Kiely. For me she's a huge source of inspiration and I have to admit that whilst I'm not massively label led, I do covet almost everything she designs.
I think most people recognise Orla Kiely's bags and home accessories, but for me it's her clothes designs that tip me over the edge. I would pretty much give my eye teeth to be able to afford a dress or two. Which is why I was so very jealous that Heather found this. Although it couldn't happen to a nicer (or more talented) person!
The Orla Kiely brand has been developed slowly but surely over the last 17 years and I think as a business model is truly worthy of admiration.
After graduating from RCA in 1993, Orla was commissioned by Harrods to design a range of hats. Followed swiftly by a collection of bags (apparently because her father pointed out that everyone carries bags but very few wear hats!).
A couple of years later she became a design consultant for Marks and Spencer, resigning in 1998 to launch her Debenhams range, which quickly became one of their most successful ranges.
In 2002 Kiely expanded her brand by teaming up with a Japanese distribution company and by the end of the year had concessions in shops in both London and Tokyo.
In 2004 she was nominated for Best Accessory Designer in the British Style Awards and also launched a new accessory collection in collaboration with the Tate Gallery as well as winning the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year award. And in 2005 her flagship store opened in Covent Garden and her online presence was established.
The combination of retro prints and colourways, that are reminiscent of the likes of Mia Farrow and Ali McGraw at their most iconic, have proven to be universally popular. Teamed with Kiely's ability to create her own immediately recognisable and now iconic Pear, Stem and Car prints, she is able to effortlessly produce couture pieces and every day home accessories and stationary apparently in the same breath.
Although pattern and colour are obviously hugely important to Orla Kiely products, for me its the attention to detail that makes it all so special. Anyone that has bought a simple notebook will know that the paper punched book mark, the graph paper and the back page pockets all make you feel as though you're getting a little something extra.
A part of the brands' success is due to a number of collaborations with existing brands. This allowed the distinctive designs to become recognisable to the mass market and immediately accessible thanks to an already established market.
Orla Kiely now has 16 flagship stores around the world as well as collections within many different world renowned stores (including Heals and Anthropolgie, and of course more recently, Target). She also has a successful online store that stocks her home accessories, clothes, bags and wallpaper ranges.
I don't think anyone could question just how popular the Dublin born designers products are and her influence is apparent world wide. It may not all be your cup of tea, but few people can't find anything they like. And she has achieved this despite still being a privately owned company and whilst sticking to her own vision of good design. And regardless of whether or not you covet an Orla Kiely bag, or even a Wottle, that's pretty impressive stuff.
Of course it's not just the big stores that stock Orla Kiely, one of my favourite online stores offers (amongst many other great designers) a great range. Oh and just in case you were wondering, they even accept Paypal!
