FLOWER POWER

The bold, kaleidoscopic genius of Orla Kiely

Instantly recognisable by their bright, vintage-inspired aesthetic, Orla Kiely’s distinctive patterns have adorned everything from houses to handbags since she first set up her company in the 1990s. Now, the Fashion and Textile Museum is holding a major retrospective of the Irish designer (left), bringing together more than 150 of her prints and products. It also charts the extraordinary breadth of her influence, showcasing past collaborations with photographers, film directors and architects. There are even some early sketches and drawings taken from Kiely’s studio archive, to show how her most memorable designs took shape. cg ‘Orla Kiely: A Life in Pattern’ is at the Fashion and Textile Museum (www.ftmlondon.org) from 25 May to 23 September.