
Isn't that little snoopy detail cute? Orla Kiely always seems to have the right mix of vintage and modern sensibilities--from the bags, to the clothes, to the photo styling. I love the layering of a vintage pattern dress against a vintage pattern wallpaper.
As I look at Orla Kiely's work, it makes me wonder why I'm drawn to her or why I repeatedly check her website. Okay, I sound like a design stalker. But seriously, what makes some independent design businesses more successful and why are we drawn to some designers more than others? Of course the common thread among all good designers is churning out great looking and functional stuff, that's a given. But some rise above the pantheon of designers with that certain je ne sais quoi or it-factor (yes, I watched American Idol last night, don't ask). What I think it is, is that some designers with their definitive aesthetic and personality created a culture around themselves and their business. Yes, a living, breathing, thriving culture. Did this culture develop organically or was it contrived? Who knows. Is this the product of successful branding? I don't know. But once you have that culture established, I'm guessing you've essentially developed fans for life.
Besides Orla Kiely, other designers who have this culture-aura about them is Lotta Jansdotter, Kelly Wearstler, Barbara Bestor, and of course, Johnathan Adler. They have all essentially created a signature style and definitive body of work in a relatively short period of time. Any of them could bust out a notebook, a line of shoes, a building, a monograph of their work, or even a book called "All About Me" with just the details of their lifestyle--and I'd buy all of it (except the building of course). A few already have penned their own books.
Now, I'm not saying you need to have this culture-dimension to your design business for it to be successful. Plenty of designers get on just fine without it. But I think it's something worthwhile to think about.