Orla Kiely fashion label closes down stores

The company's home and design licensing arm is not affected, and distributors will continue to sell its accessories and homeware.

Screen grab of Orla Kiely website, with a notice that the company's retail and wholesale businesses ceased trading on September 17, 2018
Image: The company said its retail and wholesale businesses has ceased trading
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Fashion brand Orla Kiely has fallen victim to the UK's current cut-throat retail climate and ceased trading.

The clothing, accessories and homeware retailer announced that it is closing its stores and website, after parent company Kiely Rowan went into administration.

The retailer's stores in London's King's Road and Seven Dials, and Kildare in Ireland, have closed.

The company said that its Orla Kiely Home and Design licensing business will not be affected, and its accessories and homeware products will continue to be sold through distribution partners.

"Thank you for embracing our brand and designs throughout the years and for your ongoing support," the brand said on in a statement on its website.

David Rubin & Partners have been appointed as administrators.

The company was founded in 1995 by designer Orla Kiely, known for her bold prints and patterns, used across her range of clothing and handbags.

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The Duchess of Cambridge is known to be an avid fan of the brand.

Ms Kiely currently has an exhibition "A Life in Pattern", at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London running until September 23.

Kiely Rowan's slide into administration comes during a tough climate for UK retailers.

Last month, fellow fashion and homeware retailer Laura Ashley reported a 98% slump in profits amid "challenging" trading conditions.

Its annual pre-tax profits plunged from £6.3m the previous year to a mere £100,000 in the 12 months to June 30.

Although the slump was related to an accounting write-off on the sale of a property in Singapore, chairman Khoo Kay Peng said he was "disappointed" by the fall in profit which he blamed on a "changing retail landscape".