What next for Orla Kiely?

I’m sure you’ve all heard the news today that Ola Kiely ceased trading on Monday following the collapse of its parent company  Kiely Rowan. There were a few rumours about this in a Facebook group on Monday, yesterday a notice was put up on the Orla Kiely website and today the story hit the BBC. To say I am gutted is an understatement. I have loved Orla Kiely for about 15 years and use an Orla Kiely handbags every day.

I was only in the Orla Kiely Covent Garden store 2 weeks ago. I loved that little shop and went to buy myself a handbag to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary (it’s a tradition!). There was no indication of any trouble, although most of the downstairs was closed for a private event, and I was told there were no refunds or exchanges with my purchase. I love this pic I took of my two outside the Orla Kiely shop. They argued the whole time I was browsing for a new handbag and received a telling off from me.

Perhaps I should have twigged that something was up, although with a retrospective at the Fashion and Textile Museum it really did feel that Orla Kiely was at the top of her game.

I am pretty clueless about business matters but I was pleased to read that Orla Kiely Home and Design-branded accessories and homeware will still be sold through partners. Hopefully I will still be able to get my Orla fix through John Lewis and other retailers.

My house is full of Orla Kiely loveliness. I have bedding on all the beds, an Orla Kiely lampshade, tea towels, kitchen utensils, plant pots, blankets and vases throughout the house. I even have wallpaper in the kitchen and living room. I’ve collected her handbags for the last 15 years and have been lucky to receive them for birthdays and Christmas presents. I chose the Embossed Flower Zip Messenger a few weeks ago as a 10th wedding anniversary gift. I’ve wanted a black handbag for ages, although it’s currently still in its dust bag waiting to be used.

I really hope that handbags will continue to be made. Over the last few years I’ve noticed that the quality hasn’t been so good but I just love the colours and patterns they come in. Stem print is my all time favourite. I don’t really need more homeware items but I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t get my handbag fix every year!