Pattern

Product Information

She’s very popular in Asia, because what she does is seen as quite cute in places like Japan and Korea, whereas in New York City it’s seen as contemporary but charming in a way that’s appealing to professional women, who see it as being feminine without being fussy or twee.” a b c Jenkinson, Emily (2 September 2010). "Pattern by Orla Kiely". thegoodwebguide.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. What about pattern itself – where does one begin to mix and match? "Different scales are good, different coverage is good," she says, explaining that the idea of "clashing" is the point, rather than the thing to avoid. "They kind of need to contrast – you want to link the colours somehow, but if you put similar patterns together, ones with the same weight, for example, the risk is that it can look like a mistake." But, she adds, it's also personal. "One person will make it work. Another won't." Kiely has been described by The Guardian as "the Queen of Prints." [7] Her designs have been used for a variety of objects, including kitchenware, [8] stationery, furniture, [4] wallpaper, [2] and a range of Citroën DS3 cars. [9] Hart, Carolyn (25 October 2010). "Food news: Hallowe'en cupcake decorations, Orla Kiely's kitchenware, and more..." The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 7 February 2022.

Each design is developed carefully by drawing and refining the essential organic elements that are the foundations of her instinctively satisfying repeating patterns. Nature – rendered more abstract and graphic – is always a core source of pattern ideas.

International

Pattern is not a trend for me, to be taken up one minute and abandoned the next when the winds of fashion change. Pattern is in me. It is my life’ On Monday 17 th September, Orla Kiely ceased trading. Meaning that online business and retail stores in both London and Kildare closed. After seeing this news, I wanted to celebrate the designers fantastic work and patterns from over the years by visiting the Fashion and Textile museum’s exhibition dedicated to her life’s work.

LKS2 Pride Rainbow Flags Craft Instructions - These instructions make a lovely art activity that can work as a cross-curricular PSHCE lesson, too. Let your LKS2 pupils have fun making these LGBTQ+ Pride Flags that they're sure to enjoy creating. Kiely’s aesthetic is dominated by geometric flowers, leaves and the closest thing the designer has to a logo, her endlessly versatile, scalable and variable Stem pattern. Her imprint can be found on her signature handbags, accessories and clothes, stationery and perfume bottles, homeware and furniture, and even on a ­limited-edition version of the Citroen DS3 car. I think that gives us a starting point for a discussion of social context, and I think Orla’s work will become a kind of reference for a certain period in time when it’s viewed in 50 or 100 years from now,” the curator explains.

Explore our most popular collections

KS1 All About Orla Kiely Fact File - This eye-catching Fact File, aimed at KS1 pupils, is a great resource to use while exploring colour and pattern. It summarises the life and work of the award-winning Irish designer Orla Kiely Mid 1990’s when Orla showcased hats at London Fashion Week, her father noticed that very few women wore them, but all carried a bag. Which started the key offering, made originally of wool, cottons and mesh, she then started making them in leather and bright colours. The Orla Kiely archive of bags consists of bags showcasing two principal characteristics. The ‘Stem’ range is generally produced in classic shapes and in shoulder and cross body versions. The main line has always been reflective of the designer’s latest concept, exploring different techniques and applied with finishes in prints and embroidery. a b De Rosa, Sophie (27 September 2010). "World of: Orla Kiely, designer". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 7 February 2022. Orla grew up in Ireland in the late 1960’s/ early 1970’s. She received her M.A from the Royal College of Art in 1992 and built a brand that captured the spirit of a world that yearned for certainty in tumultuous times. Her patterns were inspired by the upbeat designs of the 60’s and 70’s and the optimistic days of economic recovery, youthful discovery and innocent certainty. Kiely Rowan PLC, the retail and wholesale entity operating the fashion business under Kiely's name, ceased trading on 17 September 2018, but has continued selling through its distribution partners. [1] Biography [ edit ]