Fashion-conscious radio fans will be delighted to hear that DAB specialist Pure has teamed up with internationally renowned designer Orla Kiely to produce a custom-designed version of its popular Evoke Mio, just in time for Christmas.

The updated version of the Mio boasts Orla Kiely's signature stem print along with an elegant mirrored chrome handbag-style handle and a walnut veneered cabinet.

The designer commented: “I love to create quality and functional down-to-earth designs that integrate colour, pattern, texture, graphic control and rhythm that continually work and rework together. Radio is also a passion and Pure’s Evoke Mio was the ideal product to apply my signature stem design to, as it is both practical and a thing of beauty that will complement any home interior design and sits perfectly within my homeware range”.

Along with both DAB and FM tuners, the radio includes an input for an iPod or MP3 player and can be used with Pure's optional ChargePAK, which offers a claimed 24 hours of portable listening per charge. The new model also features 30 presets, along with the brand's Intellitext and textScan functions for pausing and scrolling through text and storing information to view at a later date.

As part of Pure's EcoPlus range, the radio has received a recommendation from the Energy Saving Trust thanks to its reduced power consumption along with its use of recycled packaging materials and components that have been selected to minimise environmental impact.
 
The Mio first launched 2 years ago, but the new Orla Kiely-designed model is set to give the brand a boost, as Cath Kidston did for rival brand Roberts Radio.

The EVOKE Mio by Orla Kiely will be on sale exclusively at John Lewis from early November and at independent retailers from March 2011, priced at £149.99.

At first glance, the radio looks extremely chic and sports a reassuringly robust chassis that looks set to offer a decent audio performance.