The queen of prints

The queen of prints

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
The queen of prints

Orla Kiely, an Irish fashion designer based in London, was nicknamed "the Queen of Prints" by The Guardian. Her designs have appeared on a wide range of things from kitchenware, stationery, furniture, wallpaper, dresses and accessories. With a passion for fashion since young, she pursued a bachelor's degree in art in Dublin and moved to London to earn a master's degree. Soon she founded her fashion brand, Kiely Rowan PLC, with husband, Dermott Rowan. She becomes an internationally renowned designer, winning many big awards, including the UK Fashion Export Gold Award. She has exhibited at the Fashion and Textile Museum Exhibition in London while her famous fans include Kate Middleton (the Duchess of Cambridge), Kirsten Dunst and Alexa Chung. After her company ceased trading in late 2018, Kiely is back with a collaboration with Jaspal, Thailand's leading fashion line. Guru speaks to Kiely to find out what makes her the "print queen".

When did you realise you have a passion for designing?

I think as a child. When I was about 11 or 12, I loved fashion, sewing and drawing. I was good at all of those. My father got me a sewing machine when I was 12. I used to make clothes for my sisters. As I grow older, I decided that I wanted to go to art school so I went to art school in Dublin, majoring in fashion.

What drew you to designing patterns and textiles?

When I went to art college I thought that I wanted to do fashion but soon realised that textiles were a big part of it. It immediately appealed to me, which is something I did not think about. Because I love drawing and all of those things, I just was kind of taken by it and decided to do that. I am very happy that I did because in some way; it's a way you find your style.

What inspired the leaf-stem pattern in your signature style?

The leaf-stem was designed nearly 20 years ago. It was one of those prints that was nature, unlike any prints you see here but somehow people really responded to it in a strong way. They loved it. We were working with many customers and one customer said we should use it as our brand icon. That's how it happened. At the time, I thought it was seasonal and it was just a suggestion by somebody who is very clever. It [the leaf-stem] represents joy and nature. The idea that it is growing very straight and all the leaves are facing forward is a nice kind of a symbol, almost, for positivity. There is something positive and happy about it; I was told this as well, by people and that's nice.

What do you enjoy designing the most?

I suppose I have to say prints so we do designing all the patterns. I mean I love all of it because in the end the most important thing is the results. Using my passion to apply to the product I don't like is not interesting for me. So [for me] it's passion first, product second but we design all of the stages.

After a six-month hiatus, do you feel any difference?

I think it's really nice for us [as] a small company. In the end, retail is very tough. I think it's just lovely to really focus again on the product and on the design part of the business. It's good. Positive.

This is the first design after your comeback, why did you decide to collaborate with Jaspal?

I think they are such a nice company. Everybody from Viseth [Singhsachathet] to his team have been so professional, so nice and so respectful. In the end, I just feel like it's the nicest partnership to come back to. Also, I think Southeast Asia is important and very fashionable. I mean women love their fashion here so it's nice to discover it.

What decade inspire you the most?

I love the mid-20-century so I would say the 60s is amazing for me. I don't know why I like it. I am drawn to it by all the amazing female icons like Mia Farrow and Jean Shrimpton. There are so many Mary Quant exhibitions on at the moment in London. Also, maybe it was a little bit of my childhood in the late 60s or 70s that plays a little bit part in it.

How do you think Thais would respond to this new collaboration?

I hope they respond to the colour and the joy of it, in a sense. I hope they do because I think here, especially, is such a vibrant city; such a lovely vibrant country so I think the colour works for Thailand. It's happy!

Do you have any upcoming design plans after this?

We've got lots happening at the moment. We are launching sunglasses and watches. We are doing lots of new accessories; handbags. We are doing a new collaboration in the UK with Holton Homes. So we got a lot of projects and a lot of exciting things. Looking forward to it, yes.


The Jaspal X Orla Kiely Collection is inspired by the 60s mixed with modern chic, perfect for a summer wardrobe. Until Aug 31, you can take pictures with AR-related activities with beautiful flower prints pattern while shopping at Jaspal, Siam Paragon. Enjoy a special promotion by posting pictures taken in the pop up flower print patterns inside all Jaspal branches with the #JaspalxOrlaKiely hashtag until Aug 31. Visit www.jaspalonlinestore.com and fb.com/JaspalOfficial.

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