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30 years of Orla Kiely

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30 years of Orla Kiely

TL;DR

  • Orla Kiely's brand started in the 1990s from her kitchen table with fashion accessories.
  • Her signature style features retro botanical designs in a mid-century color palette.
  • The "Stem leaf" print, inspired by the rowan tree, has been a bestseller since its creation in 2000.
  • The brand expanded to ready-to-wear, furniture, wallpaper, and even a car, with a collection for Target in 2009.
  • The original company entered administration in 2018, leading to store closures.
  • The brand currently operates through a licensing and direct-to-consumer online model, focusing on US expansion.
  • The company is digitizing its 30-year archive of 9,000 prints.
  • Orla Kiely's designs are described as modern classics that transcend trends due to their innate understanding of print and pattern.