Pattern

I recently bought Pattern by Orla Kiely and thought I'd share a peek inside. It's no secret I love just about everything in her brand, season after season. Every once in a while, you come across a designer that fits perfectly with your personal aesthetic, perhaps what you're already making if you're a creative type, or perhaps the silhouettes and colors and patterns you wear or decorate your space with, and for me that's Orla Kiely.

I expected it to be full of glossy images of her products over the years and, of course, lots of juicy pattern inspiration. But there's also interesting info on Kiely's background, the history of the brand, and what inspires her work. I don't know why, but I was surprised to find out that Kiely continued working for other brands for years after she started her own company. I know lots of designers work for other brands as well, but she seemed to be successful from the start. I guess it's a good reminder that name recognition and sales do not necessarily equal lots of money, at least initially.

Anyway, if you are like me and are inspired by patterns with a bold graphic element and retro color palettes, I highly recommend this book!