Business blooming: designer Orla Kiely with one of her trademark 1960s-inspired handbags

Irish designer Orla Kiely is stepping up her store-opening programme. Kiely is to open her second London boutique on the King's Road in Chelsea later this summer, joining the existing store in upmarket Covent Garden.

She is looking to open two more shops in London over the next three years, according to reports in Britain. Kiely also has stores in Paris, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States.

The new store is to be let on a 10-year lease, with an annual rent of about €65,000.

Kiely designs clothing, homewares, handbags, accessories and stationery and is best known for her use of 1960s-style prints.

Last week An Post launched a set of stamps celebrating Irish designers, including Kiely. Others to be featured on the stamps include John Rocha and Philip Treacy.

The designer recently signed a deal with Citroen to design a limited edition of its DS3 car.

Orla Kiely managing director Dermott Rowan told the Telegraph in May that the company, which was set up in 1997, had turned down numerous offers from people trying to buy the brand over the last six years.