Kate helps Orla Kiely sales to soar 19% to £9.42m

Orla Kiely’s fashion empire — helped in no small way by Kate Middleton — continues to expand with sales increasing by 19% to £9.42m (€11.71m) last year.

However, in spite of the large growth in business, pre-tax profits at Kiely Rowan plc fell by 57% from £423,277 to £178,306 in the 12 months to the end of March this year (2012).

The Irish designer — best known for her quirky, retro stem prints — runs the firm with her husband, Dermott Rowan.