Irish fashion designer Orla Kiely has shuttered both her online business and retail stores in London and Kildare Village, Ireland. The designer – known for her fun, retro prints – is a favorite of Kate Middleton‘s, who’s often been spotted wearing looks from the brand. Though Kiely said last year that the “Kate Effect” was “good for business,” it doesn’t appear to have been enough to save the fashion label.
The company didn’t offer an explanation for why it has shut down, only saying that it “apologize[s] for any inconvenience caused.” Its accessories and housewares lines, which includes items like this vintage-inspired pillow, will continue to be sold in stores.
One this is for sure. The end of Orla Kiely is sure to leave a gaping hole in Duchess Kate’s closet. Over the years, she’s worn various items from the brand. Here are a few of our favorites.
Pretty in pink
The Duchess of Cambridge dances with Paddington Bear while Prince William looks on. | Chris J Ratcliffe/AFP/Getty Images
Kate work this pink Orla Kiely dress with raised flowers last October at an event promoting the movie Paddington 2. The Duchess – who’d announced she was pregnant with her third child just a few weeks earlier — twirled with everyone’s favorite bear from darkest Peru during the celebration at Paddington Station. The popular dress sold out quickly, but you can still snag it on Ebay for about $526.
Stylish maternity wear
Kate Middleton leaves the ‘Victorian Giants’ exhibition at National Portrait Gallery on February 28, 2018. | Ben Stansall – Pool/Getty Images
The Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t let pregnancy stand in the way of style. In February 2018, just a few months before the birth of Prince Louis, she attended the ‘Victorian Giants’ exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery wearing a long-sleeved black floral print Orla Kiely dress and nude pumps.
Perfect pleats
The Duchess of Cambridge at an event in 2015, in London | Chris Jackson/Getty Images
This simple yet stylish gray dress is a favorite of Duchess Kate’s. She’s worn it at several events, including in 2015, when she met children and mentors from Chance UK’s Early Intervention Program in Islington, London. She paired the fun yet classic dress with on-point black pumps. By then, the dress was several years old. She’d also worn it to an event at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2012.
A sensible shirt dress
Kate Middleton leaves the Only Connect and ex-offenders projects on November 19, 2013, in London. | Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Kate donned this brown shirt dress when she visited the Only Connect project, an organization that helps ex-offenders, in 2013. She was also spotted wearing the same item in 2012 – more proof that when she finds an outfit she likes, she’s not afraid to recycle it. A green version of the dress is available on Ebay, with bidding starting at just over $100.
More pleats
Kate Middleton in 2013 | Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The Duchess likes to incorporate pleats into her looks. She wore a pleated crepe skirt in navy, along with a matching Max Mara jacket, blue clutch, and blue suede pumps, to the Place2Be Forum in London in 2013, according to the blog Kate Middleton Style.
Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
Source: Read Full Article
