Orla Kiely AW 13/14 Presentation

An air of bustling industry filled the room where Orla Kiely’s secretaries sat in their typing pool, each with a messy beehive, some with winged spectacles and all dressed in cute, collared knee-length dresses and blouses in various prints, colours and fabrics. The sound of typewriter clacking accompanied the soundtrack to Orla Kiely’s presentation of her AW 13/14 collection, as the models sat at their desks typing, talking on the phone, walking between desks with files and consulting each other over papers at the back of the room.

The collection is prim and proper, with necklines high and hems hovering around knee-level. Knitted beige cardigans with a sharp white collar are paired with flared red skirts and white tights. A mustard-coloured print dress with a black collar has a matching coat. Another young secretary wears a bright pink woollen t-shirt with a delicate pink print pencil skirt and black waist belt. T-bar heels complete the retro look.

The style of Orla Kiely’s newest collection is ’60s secretary, with a hint of playfulness in amongst the prissiness. The models had apparently spent the day typing stories to be continued by the next model to sit down at the desk, hence some smiling and a general air of mischief amongst the comings and goings of the prim ‘secretaries’ – perfectly capturing the tone of the collection.