Orla Kiely Irish designer Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Orla Kiely
2. Expansion of Design Range
3. Partnership and Success
4. Recognition and Influence
5. Entrepreneurial Ventures
6. Personal Life

Biography of Orla Kiely

Orla Kiely is an Irish designer who began her career in Dublin, studying textile design at the National College of Art and Design. Afterward, she moved to New York to work on wallpaper design and fabric development. Kiely then relocated to England, where she worked for the fashion and lifestyle company 'Esprit', specializing in clothing, footwear, accessories, jewelry, and homeware. She also obtained a master's degree from the Royal College of Art, focusing on knitwear.

Expansion of Design Range

While initially known for her hat designs, Kiely expanded her range to include the design of fashionable handbags and other products such as kitchen accessories and even automobiles. Her graduation show at the Royal College of Art featured a hat collection that was immediately purchased by 'Harrods'. Kiely also worked on designs for retailers 'Marks & Spencer' and 'Habitat'.

Partnership and Success

After Kiely's father noted the absence of hats in people's hands at London Fashion Week, she swiftly transitioned to designing handbags. In the late 1990s, she had the idea to laminate fabrics for handbags, which was a novel concept at the time. Laminated fabrics were typically only associated with tablecloths. In 1997, Kiely and her husband, Dermott Rowan, established 'The Orla Kiely Partnership'. Kiely consulted for other companies while working on her own collection during weekends, allowing Rowan to handle the organizational aspects of their business.

Recognition and Influence

Kiely gained recognition by showcasing her designs at London Fashion Week and securing her first export order. The following year, the couple focused on developing a high-end collection. Kiely, alongside other renowned designers such as Philip Treacy, John Rocha, and Paul Costelloe, appeared on Irish postage stamps in July 2010. Her name, depicted in large letters, and an image of one of her leaf-patterned bags adorned the stamps. Kiely's fashion line is also popular among notable actresses, including Kirsten Dunst. She holds the title of Visiting Professor of Textiles at the Royal College of Art. When Kiely initially began designing hats, 'The Guardian' newspaper referred to her as the 'Queen of Prints'. Her focus has now shifted to handbags and an array of other objects, including homeware, stationery, furniture, wallpaper, and even automobiles, such as the Citroen DS3. Kiely would embellish the roofs, rear doors, and spoilers of cars, leaving her signature mark. She also left her designer touch on car mats and headrests.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Kiely's creativity extended beyond fashion and homeware. She collaborated with British company 'Brita' to design the 'Wottle' water bottle. Using her iconic design, the high-density polyethylene bottle gained natural appeal. Kiely's business thrives in a three-story building located in South London, near her home. Her studio occupies the middle floor, chosen for its excellent lighting.

Personal Life

Orla Kiely is married to Dermott Rowan, and they have two sons, Robert and Hamish.