Whether you are aware of it or not, you probably have spotted the bold retro designs of Orla Kiely at some point. Maybe you have seen Orla Kiely wallpaper, kitchen products, or handbags. (For instance, in the featured image, the guest room of Jim Cross and Dave Pearson’s Eichler home features an Orla Kiely bedding set.) In this post, we will tell you all about this contemporary designer and her eye-catching retro prints.
Orla Kiely’s Design Career
Orla Kiely was born in Ireland in 1963, but currently resides in London. Originally inspired by her grandmother to pursue a creative path, she attended the National College of Art and Design in Dublin to study textile design. After completing her studies, she worked as a fabric and wallpaper designer in New York, before returning to England for additional work and studies.
It was in the 90s when Kiely founded her own brand. At the time, prints were out of vogue. She stated, “People have become nervous of print, so if I’ve given them more confidence and a love of print, pattern and colour, that will be a nice legacy.”
Her husband, Dermott Rowan, has also played a prominent role in her company. He has said, “Nothing was planned, the whole thing started by accident. Kiely was consulting for other companies and designing her own collection at the weekend, which she would give to me to organize. We had this chaotic situation where deliveries of her designs would come into our apartment and if I didn’t get them out by 5pm, there was nowhere to sit!”
Kiely has received accolades in the press, honorary degrees and fellowships, and even had her work featured on a postage stamp. You may have spotted celebrities like Alexa Chung and Kirsten Dunst wearing her fashions.
Bold, MCM-Inspired Designs
Orla Kiely’s lines include bags, accessories such as sunglasses, wallets and phone pouches, home décor items like blankets, wallpaper and artworks, and kitchen and dining products like mugs, teapots, placemats and coasters. Pictured above is a tablecloth.
Both the colors and shapes you see in Orla Kiely prints are evocative of the 1960s. The bold simplicity of the designs makes them pop, but prevents them from feeling cluttered or overwhelming. You should be able to easily coordinate the colors with Mid Century Modern furnishings in your home.
Where Can You Buy Orla Kiely Designs?
Because Orla Kiely is a contemporary designer, it is easy to purchase her official products. You can simply visit the Orla Kiely store, where you can shop for bags, housewares and more. These are designer items, but there is a pretty wide price range across categories. So, hopefully you can find something to fit your budget that will add a bit of retro appeal to your style.
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