Laura Ashley – Brand History, Products and Where to Buy

Laura Ashley is a name synonymous with British floral design, romantic aesthetics, and a particular vision of country-house living. Founded in 1953, the brand grew from a kitchen-table textile business into a global retail presence before a dramatic shift in 2020 closed its UK stores. Today, Laura Ashley operates as a licensing brand, with its products available through a network of partners rather than its own shops.

The story began when Laura and Bernard Ashley started hand-printing Victorian-style headscarves in their London home. The business expanded rapidly through the 1960s and 1970s, becoming a staple of British fashion and interiors. By the time of Laura Ashley’s death in 1985, the brand operated 220 stores worldwide and was a favourite of figures such as Lady Diana Spencer.

After decades of financial struggles, store closures, and changes of ownership, the brand entered administration in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown, closing all its UK shops. In January 2025, Marquee Brands — which also owns Martha Stewart and Ben Sherman — acquired Laura Ashley from Gordon Brothers. The brand now operates across more than 200 lifestyle categories through over 100 licensed partners.

Laura Ashley Clothing

Laura Ashley clothing is characterised by romantic, midi-length dresses, smocks, gardening aprons, and floral-print shirts. These designs emerged from the brand’s Welsh factory in Carno, where Laura Ashley developed her signature silhouettes using Bernard’s printing presses. The clothing line became a cultural touchstone in Britain during the 1970s and 1980s, often associated with the Sloane Ranger look.

Key insights about Laura Ashley clothing and the brand:

• Laura Ashley is known for its distinctive floral prints and romantic, Victorian-inspired style.
• The brand has undergone multiple ownership changes and currently operates under licensing agreements via Marquee Brands.
• Products span fashion, home textiles, wallpaper, and accessories, covering more than 200 categories.
• Online presence remains strong through the official website and partner retailers such as Next.
• The founder’s legacy continues to influence British design and the brand’s aesthetic direction.
• Physical UK stores closed permanently after the 2020 administration, with around 70 shops shut.
• The brand holds an extensive archive of bespoke prints and colour palettes used in wallpaper and textiles.

Laura Ashley Home and Wallpaper

Home decor has been a core pillar of Laura Ashley since the brand expanded into home furnishings in 1979. Today, the home category includes tablecloths, napkins, tea towels, wallpaper, and bedding. The wallpaper line is particularly well known, drawing on the brand’s extensive archive of bespoke prints and colour palettes. Licensed partners manufacture and distribute these products, leveraging the archive to maintain the brand’s signature look.

Wallpaper and Textiles

Laura Ashley wallpaper remains a popular product category, known for floral and vintage patterns. It is available through partners such as Next, the official website, and home improvement retailers. The textile range extends to upholstery fabrics and curtains, all drawing on the brand’s signature prints.

Furniture and Home Accessories

Furniture bearing the Laura Ashley name is produced by licensed partners and sold through retailers such as Next. The range includes sofas, beds, and storage pieces, typically upholstered in the brand’s characteristic fabrics. Tableware, candles, and scented home products are also part of the home decor offering.

Laura Ashley UK and Online Shopping

Since the closure of all UK stores in 2020, Laura Ashley no longer operates any direct retail locations in Britain. The brand’s British high street presence has been replaced by a network of licensed partnerships. Consumers can still purchase Laura Ashley products through various channels, though the shopping experience differs from the past.

The Official Website

The domain lauraashley.com now functions as a global licensing portal rather than a direct retail site for UK customers. It provides information about the brand and its partners but does not process orders for UK shoppers directly. This change followed the 2020 administration and the subsequent licensing-focused business model.

Partner Retailers

Next is a major partner for Laura Ashley home and fashion products in the UK, offering a substantial selection of items online and via its stores. Department stores and supermarkets such as Morrisons and Boots carry licensed Laura Ashley goods, particularly in home decor and accessories. Online marketplaces like Amazon UK and eBay also list Laura Ashley products from various sellers.

How Did the Laura Ashley Brand Evolve?

The story began when Laura and Bernard Ashley started hand-printing Victorian-style headscarves in their London home. The business expanded rapidly through the 1960s and 1970s, becoming a staple of British fashion and interiors. By the time of Laura Ashley’s death in 1985, the brand operated 220 stores worldwide and was a favourite of figures such as Lady Diana Spencer.

1. 1953 — Laura and Bernard Ashley began hand-printing Victorian-style headscarves at their kitchen table in Pimlico, London, inspired by a Women’s Institute handicrafts exhibition at the V&A Museum. (Source)
2. 1961 — The family relocated to Wales and opened the first store in Machynlleth at 35 Maengwyn Street.
3. 1967 — The first factory opened in Carno, Montgomeryshire, where Laura developed her signature midi-length dresses using Bernard’s printing presses.
4. 1968 — The first shop bearing the Laura Ashley brand name opened in South Kensington on Pelham Street.
5. 1985 — Laura Ashley died from a brain haemorrhage. The brand had 220 global stores and was a favourite of Lady Diana Spencer.
6. 1985–1990s — After going public, the brand expanded aggressively to over 500 stores, but quality declined due to outsourced manufacturing.
7. 2000s — Financial difficulties led to repeated store closures and bankruptcies, driven in part by spreadsheet-driven profit projections and a loss of the original romantic vision.
8. 2020 — The brand entered UK administration during the Covid-19 lockdown. All UK stores closed permanently, with around 70 shut.
9. 2025 — Marquee Brands acquired Laura Ashley from Gordon Brothers. The brand now operates across 200+ lifestyle categories through 100+ licensed partners. (Source)

What Is Certain and Uncertain About Laura Ashley?

What Does Laura Ashley Represent in British Culture?

Laura Ashley represents a classic British lifestyle brand that evolved from a small home-based business into a global licensing name. Its enduring appeal lies in its signature prints and romantic, 19th-century rural aesthetic. The brand is often described as quintessentially English, and its cultural impact was cemented by its popularity with Lady Diana Spencer and the Sloane Ranger set of the 1980s.

The brand’s manufacturing legacy is rooted in Welsh craftsmanship. Entire villages in Carno were employed in fabric printing and dressmaking during the 1960s and 1970s. This connection to local production was a defining feature of the brand’s early identity and contributed to its reputation for quality and authenticity.

The brand’s resilience through ownership changes, from a family business to a publicly traded company and now a licensing brand under Marquee Brands, reflects strong brand equity and nostalgic consumer demand. The Laura Ashley archive, established in 2000, preserves hundreds of thousands of items that continue to inspire current product lines.

What Do Official Sources Say About Laura Ashley?

Several authoritative sources provide information about the brand’s history and current status. Laura Ashley was a Welsh fashion designer and businesswoman. The Ashley Wilde Group, which previously managed the brand’s licensing, described it as “an iconic choice for home décor for more than seven decades.”

“Laura Ashley was a Welsh fashion designer and businesswoman.”

— Wikipedia

“For more than seven decades, the beloved British brand Laura Ashley has remained an iconic choice for home décor.”

— Ashley Wilde Group

For the most current product availability, checking Marquee Brands’ official partner listings or major UK retailers such as Amazon, Morrisons, and department stores that carry licensed Laura Ashley goods is recommended.

What Does the Future Hold for Laura Ashley?

Under Marquee Brands, Laura Ashley is positioned to expand into new product categories and partnerships. The brand currently operates across more than 200 lifestyle categories through over 100 licensed partners. Future developments may include new product lines, collaborations, and further expansion of the licensing network. Monitoring the official website and social media channels for announcements is the best way to track these changes.

Frequently Asked Questions