Orla Kiely....

After qualifying as a textile designer from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin Orla Kiely moved to New York where she worked as a wallpaper and fabric designer.  Kiely then moved to England and in 1995 the London based Irish fashion designer founded her collection range in 1995.

In the late 90's Kiely's idea of laminating cloth for handbags came to her. At the time "no one was doing anything like it". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orla_Kiely [accessed 17.11.11]).  When people thought of laminated fabrics they thought of wipe clean tablecloth's not handbags.

Laminated Cloth: 'Acorn Cup' Print Sally Bag. (image from www.orlakiely.com/)

The Orla Kiely collection expresses Orla's "love of pattern, colour, texture and rhythm, which as components all play and work together." (http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/orlakiely.html [accessed 17.11.11] ).

"With clean orderly repeat constructions and a boldness of scale, her work achieves strength with a very modern quality, while her nostalgia for all things mid century, help make her patterns charming, uplifting and instantly recognisable." (http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/orlakiely.html [accessed 17.11.11] ).

Kiely uses simplistic bold designs that are clearly inspired by everyday life and objects.  Her 'stem' and 'multi stem' designs are very similar to how I have interpreted branches, twigs and leaves within my designs.

Orla Kiely 'Stem' Design.
(image from www.orlakiely.com/)

Orla Kiely 'Multi Stem' Design.
(image from www.orlakiely.com/)

I have now decided to look at expanding my design collection further.  Orla Kiely's designs are all very similar - the 'theme' carries through in to all of her designs whether her design is a leaf or a car you can clearly tell they are part of the same collection.  I will basing all of my designs around my leaf and twig designs.

Back to the drawing board for me now!!! :)



Bibliography:

http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/orlakiely.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orla_Kiely
http://www.orlakiely.com/