Designer Louise Kennedy's sales boosted by Middle East taste for design label

Affluent Middle-East clients helped drive sales growth at the business of Ireland’s best known designers, Louise Kennedy, where accumulated profits last year climbed to €1.3m.

New accounts for Signum Ltd, the main firm of Ms Kennedy, who counts pop stars Kylie and Beyonce and actress Meryl Streep as customers, show accumulated profits increased last year by €153,173 from €1.156m to €1.3m.

However the profits growth was less than in previous years because it invested heavily in revamping the flagship retail store in London and the design studio at Merrion Square in Dublin.

A spokesman said that it grew sales from the Mid-East clients at the London store. After hiring, the company now employs 30 people.

On how the firm fared this year, the spokesman said: “Management accounts show a sustained growth in profits and revenues.

"This is due to strong footfall in London and recent collections being well received by customers.”

The accounts show that the firm’s cash pile in 2014 fell from €936,687 to €419,686. The amount owed by debtors increased from €808,319 to €1.047m.

Ms Kennedy established the eponymous label in 1983. Her profile was heightened when President Mary Robinson commissioned the Co Tipperary native to design her inauguration outfit in 1990.

Ms Kennedy continued to dress President Robinson and President Mary McAleese through their presidencies.

Ms Kennedy has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including Irish Designer of the Year on four occasions.

In 2009, Ms Kennedy has also been honoured by An Post with a stamp celebrating her work.

She has dressed members of the British, European and MiddleEastern royals.

Other celebrity supporters over the years include Angelica Huston, Andie McDowell, Jo Malone, Emma Thompson, Yasmin Le Bon, and the late Elizabeth Taylor.