Orla Kiely

Designer name: Orla Kiely

Origin: Dublin

Design background: Orla studied at the Royal College of Art. Her first job was at Espirit.

Career highlight: “Opening our flagship store in Covent Garden.”

Design signatures: “Colour, pattern and texture with a 60s twist.”

How would you describe the Orla Kiely woman? “Creative.”

Spring/summer 2012 inspirations: “Old summer holiday snaps from the forties and fifties and Clare McCardell American sportswear prints inspired by vintage Vogue fashion illustrations.”

What's next for your brand? “We are opening our first US store in New York on 5 Mercer Street in Soho. It has been very exciting working on this project and we think this area is perfect for our customer.”

Who are your design heroes? “Ossie Clark, A.H. McIntosh and Marni.”

What's your favourite cultural hotspot in the capital? “The V&A.”

In five years’ time I will be... “Hopefully still designing and happily settled with my family in my new South London home!”