Retailer Orla Kiely goes bust leaving workers ‘in tears’ as they are led out of shops
Staff were told that the company couldn't afford to pay them for the past three weeks of work
WORKERS at designer brand Orla Kiely were escorted off the premises "in tears" after bosses told them that the brand has gone bust.
The Irish designer told staff on Monday that it couldn't afford to pay them for the previous three weeks worth of work.
It announced today that it has gone into administration and that it's closing both London stores - in King's Road, Chelsea, and in Monmouth Street, Covent Garden - as well as its Kildare, Ireland, branch.
Speaking to the a source said that staff were told that if they wanted to see the money, then they'd need to file for redundancy.
They said: "Chief designers just grabbed their bags and walked straight out without saying anything. We were then escorted out of the building.
"None of us saw this coming. They closed off the website the other week and said there was an issue with the payment gateway. But they must have known what was going on.
"Now I'm struggling to find the money to pay the rent. People were just crying in the pub. It's devastating."
The designer employed 56 workers and made an £8million turnover.
Orla Kiely, 55, started the business in 1995 and rose to fame for her floral prints earning her the title of Queen of Prints.
Her clothing line has been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, and is a favourite of her mum Carol and her sister Pippa.
Other celebs who've been spotted wearing the floral patterns include model Alexa Chung and actress Sarah Jessica Parker.
Her prints appear on clothes, bicycles and bedding and are sold in 33 countries.
In a statement given to , the retailer said: "Having carefully considered the options, the directors of Kiely Rowan Plc have concluded that the business should enter voluntary liquidation following various challenges that have faced the company over the past few years, both in the UK and abroad."
A small selection of its accessories and homewares will continue to be sold at department stores like Debenhams and John Lewis.
A message on the designer's website says: "Thank you for embracing our brand and designs throughout the years and for your ongoing support."
Customers who are worried about purchases are still being advised to contact customer services at [email protected].
It's Orla over now
By Joely Chilcott, Fabulous Daily Editor
SHE might be the “Queen of Prints”, but Orla Kiely has been dethroned.
I was a fan of the quirky, nostalgic patterns but the price points for clothing were always too much for me.
Instead, I’d bag a candle or necklace — and it seems hordes of other style-hungry women did too.
The Orla Kiely Home and Design licencing businesses will continue to be sold through department stores. That’s good news.
Although, with the High Street in crisis and stores like John Lewis and Debenhams announcing profit slumps, who knows for how much longer?
MOST READ IN MONEY
It's the latest retailer in a string of high streets stores that have had to call it a day.
Earlier this year, two of the country's largest retailers, Toys R Us and Maplin collapsed putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Last month, Mothercare announced it will shut 60 stores, leading to the loss of hundreds of jobs.
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