Royal fashion favourite Orla Kiely forced to call in administrators

ORLA KIELY, a fashion brand worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, has closed its stores after falling into administration.

The retail and wholesale side of the brand, famed for its colourful patterns, ceased trading on Monday, resulting in the closures of three outlets. Staff were informed of the closure earlier this week and made redundant with immediate effect.

Operations have now ceased both in the stores and on the brand’s website.

Two of the stores which have now closed are in London, on King’s Road and Seven Dials, while a third is located in a shopping outlet in Kildare, Ireland.

However, the licensing arm of the business will continue trading, which means that Orla Kiely branded product collections for the likes of John Lewis and Partners and Very.co.uk will not be affected.

In a statement posted on the brand’s website, founder Orla Kiely and her husband Dermott Rowan wrote: “Thank you for embracing our brand and designs throughout the years and for your ongoing support.”

Restructuring firm David Ruben and Partners has been appointed as administrators to Kiely Rowan, which is the parent company of the retail and wholesale business.

Kiely, an Irish designer, set up her own label in the 1990s and had gained widespread recognition for her distinctive prints.

The Duchess of Cambridge is just one of the high-profile celebrities who had been spotted wearing clothes by the brand.