Renown
ed British design brand, Orla Kiely, has closed all of its stores and website in the UK and Ireland, as parent company Kiely Rowan appoints David Rubin & Partners as administrators. The £8million brand has branches in London, Kildare and New York City. The closure took effect on Monday September 17, when the company’s 56 employees were informed of the situation.
Irish designer Kiely, who is known through the fashion, home and gift industry as the ‘queen of prints’, has confirmed that the Orla Kiely’s successful home and design licensing business is not affected and will continue to be sold via distribution partners.
A selection of Orla Kiely branded homeware and fashion accessories will be sold in outlets that include John Lewis and Debenhams. The designer has collaborated with businesses including Harrods, the Tate Museum and Heal’s, and her fashion designs have become a favourite with female members of the royal family.
Kiely launched her label 23 years ago after starting out as a wallpaper and fabric surface designer, whose laminated handbags featuring her distinctive prints made her a household name in the 1990s. Her career was celebrated this year in A Life of Pattern exhibition at the Fashion and Textiles Museum.
