Orla Kiely
United Kingdom
Orla Kiely is a London-based design label built by the Irish designer Orla Kiely and her husband Dermott Rowan. It is known for handbags and patterned design across clothing, homeware and collaborations.
| Founded | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Orla Kiely and Dermott Rowan |
| Studio | Pimlico, London |
| Original operating company | Kiely Rowan PLC (ceased trading 2018) |
| Website | orlakiely.com |
What is Orla Kiely?
Orla Kiely is a British design brand named after its founder, an Irish designer based in London. It is best known for handbags and for a graphic, pattern-led look that extends into homeware and accessories.
History
According to Wikipedia, Orla Kiely and her husband Dermott Rowan formed The Orla Kiely Partnership in 1997. The company's retail and wholesale entity, Kiely Rowan PLC, ceased trading on 17 September 2018, but the brand has continued to sell through distribution partners.
Products and positioning
The label's range has included handbags, hats, clothing, kitchenware, stationery, furniture and wallpaper. It has also been extended through collaborations, among them a Citroen DS3 car range, Pure Evoke Mio radios and a water bottle made with Brita.
Business model and distribution
Until 2018 the business operated retail and wholesale through Kiely Rowan PLC, and it showed at London Fashion Week and took export orders. Since then the brand has relied on distribution partners and collaborations, as described by Wikipedia. The article names a studio in Pimlico, London, and the official website is orlakiely.com.
The source reviewed does not name a current owner or give any information for 2024 to 2026, so this profile does not state a parent company or current leadership.
Why it matters
Orla Kiely is a well-documented example of a designer label that stretched one recognisable pattern language across fashion, home and licensed products, and then continued after its original operating company stopped trading.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Orla Kiely?
The brand was formed in 1997 by the Irish designer Orla Kiely and her husband Dermott Rowan as The Orla Kiely Partnership.
Is Orla Kiely still trading?
Kiely Rowan PLC ceased trading in September 2018, but Wikipedia says the brand has continued selling through distribution partners. Its current owner could not be verified.