14 November 2011 17:00 GMT / By Dan Sung
Style Week on Pocket-lint would, of course, be nothing at all if we didn’t ask the opinions of those who really know what style is all about. So, as part of our five days of fun, we’ve got hold of five top UK fashion designers to talk to us about what they see in their gadgets and what they're after when searching to buy some top looking technology.
To start the ball rolling, we bagged some time with the one and only Orla Kiely. Described as the "Queen of Prints", she began working on hats and then moved to handbags, kitchenware, stationary, furniture, wallpaper, Citroen cars and even the odd London bus. More famously in the tech world, though, she’s also made radios with Pure.
1. What, for you, makes a beautiful gadget or piece of consumer technology?
My new iphone! I had the black iphone 4 but went with the white option for the 4S. Takes time getting used to the new software though.
2. Are there any common errors that you see tech companies making when designing the look and feel of their products?
Yes, I feel that for years consumer manufacturers saw design as secondary to the function/performance of the product. It was only when Apple came on the scene that everyone started to take notice of design led products.

3. Form or function? Both are important but which has the edge for you when choosing your phones, laptops, etc and why?
I feel that neither should ever be compromised but it is ultimately the consumer's choice. Personally, I like mine to look good as well as being easy to use.
4. Phones, cameras and laptops have all got smaller, bigger, fatter and thinner over the years. What do you think the next trends in their design might be?
It is so hard to tell because consumer electronics is the fastest changing market that I am aware of. I think people will always prefer their products to be smaller/lighter and more advanced than the previous.
5. Name the five most beautiful pieces of consumer electronics of all time in your opinion?
Leica C-lux 3, iPad 2, iPhone 4S, Amazon Kindle, Flip Mino HD camcorder.
Orla Kiely has just opened her first store in the US on Mercer Street in New York but, if you're not in the neighbourhood, then there's always her London establishments or even the online shop where you can pick some classic O.K. laptop sleeves and phone cases.
You can read more from Style Week on our Style Week homepage.

Ultra Responsive. Ultra Sleek. Ultrabook ™ - www.intel.co.uk/ultrabook
- BlackBerry: Good design wears in rather than wearing out
- Best looking phones in the world
Style Week, Pure, Pure Evoke Mio by Orla Kiely, Features, Orla Kiely, Interviews



Is Facebook about to buy Opera to create own Facebook browser? EXCLUSIVE: Pocket-lint source tells us "yes"
Which smartphone is best for the sun? Screens for the Summer
Jony Ive: Next Apple product is our most important and best work yet Better than iPod, iPad and iPhone?
Batman Nokia Lumia 900: Limited edition phone heading to UK Who are you? I'm Batman
Dragon's Dogma Adventure time
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Roger likes a Tango at 12 o'clock
Porsche 911 Carrera (991) 2012 pictures and hands-on WANT
Canon EOS 5D MK III It's a hat-trick
Robert Moog Google doodle best yet, even better than Les Paul Synthesizer synthesiser
Microsoft Office coming to iPad and Android tablets this November A change of heart?
APP OF THE DAY: Mini Motor review (Android, iPhone and iPad) Top-down. Top app.
Toshiba AT300: The quad-core 10.1-inch ICS Android tablet UPDATE: Pricing unveiled
Sega serves up Virtua Tennis Challenge on the iPad and iPhone Smash-ing
APP OF THE DAY: Wyse PocketCloud Remote (Android) Work on your PC from anywhere in the world
Free Wi-Fi? Then give us your dog poo Dirt cheap
Olympus OM-D E-M5 review
The compact system camera to beat all others?
Nokia Lumia 900 review
Is big beautiful?
HTC One V review
V for victory?
Huawei Ascend G300 review
Big bang for your hundred quid
FIFA 12: UEFA Euro 2012 review
Lacks polish, if not the Polish
Asus Transformer Pad TF300T review
Transforms your money in to a great tablet
Nikon Coolpix P510 review
Does the P510 zoom beyond expectations?
Fujifilm X-Pro1 review
Like a Leica
Volkswagen Beetle Design 1.2TSi DSG review
The bug is back. Again.
BlackBerry Curve 9320 review
A BB for beginners?
Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR review
Can Fujifilm’s latest put the ‘super’ in superzoom?
HP Envy 14 Spectre review
The Ultrabook that isn't an Ultrabook
The Walking Dead: The Game review
Fleshed out zombie bonanza
Sony Cyber-shot HX200V review
Superzoom master keeps the bar high