Orla Kiely – Pattern

Pattern is not a trend for me, to be taken up one minute and abandoned the next when the winds of fashion change. Pattern is in me. Pattern is my life.’  Orla Kiely 2010

I’m a huge Orla Kiely fan and this is my perfect book. It wasn’t until I read it that I realised just how her print and patterns have permeated my life. Every time I turned a page I saw a different print which reminded me of a handbag, wallet or ticket holder I’d bought or received as a gift. It’s strange how I can chart my life through these prints and how they seem to be a visual reference for significant events and hold many happy memories.

The book is split in to six chapters (practice, inspiration, colour, print, texture and form, and home) and each is heavily illustrated with many examples of Orla’s work, along with images that have helped her style. The result is a visual treasury of the first ten years of her work.

Orla Kiely is instantly recognisable, her unique design language and graphic control has seen her label become a successful global brand. From her early signature bags, the collection has grown to include a womenswear line, accessories, travel and recently homeware.

This beautiful book, both autobiographical and inspirational, will appeal to anyone fascinated by Orla’s iconic designs, and the methods she used to achieve them. It would be at home on a shelf of craft and fashion books or look equally stylish on your coffee table. Orla Kiely Pattern (Conran, £25.00) can be purchased from the Orla Kiely website, Amazon and other good bookshops.

Here are the other entries in this Book Carnival:

Jax from Making It Up reviews ten favourite books she loves to read with her children in My favourite books. Kelly from Domestic Goddesque posts about the book that gave her back the joy of losing yourself in a book in I read books once. Now I have small children. Nova from Cherished By Me posts about the books that fuelled her passion for reading in My favourite book. Not So Single Mum from Diary of a (not so) Single Mum reviews The Lady in the Tower. Becky from Book Reviews for Mums reviews the book that opened her up to her responsibilities and the choices she makes in life in My Favourite Book. Helen from Cheeky Wipes reviews her favourite books in From Riders to The God Delusion – my favourite books. Cass from The Diary of a Frugal Family reviews her first and favourite cookbook in Where It All Began. Cara from Freckles Family reviews a favourite from the past few years in A Favourite Book. Maggy from Red Ted Art reviews a recent gift, a Pop-up, Pull-out, Picture Atlas. Ella from Notes From Home reviews Sad Book.