Laura Ashley

Laura Ashley

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    Laura Ashley

    Laura Ashley – Life & Work

    Who was Laura Ashley?

    • Birth name: Laura Mountney
    • Born: September 7, 1925 in Dowlais, Wales
    • Died: September 17, 1985 (Age: 60)

    Laura Ashley was a British designer and entrepreneur best known for her romantic and nostalgic fabric designs, dresses, and home textiles. She is considered one of the most influential designers of the 20th century in the fields of country chic and Victorian-inspired fashion.

    The brand “Laura Ashley”

    Beginnings:
    • In the early 1950s, she began hand-printing fabrics with historical prints (Victorian, Edwardian), initially for scarves and kitchen textiles.
    • Together with her husband Bernard Ashley, she founded the company Ashley Mountney Ltd. (later “Laura Ashley Ltd.”) in 1953.
    • The first products were printed in our own kitchen – with great success.
    Growth:

    From the 1960s onwards, "Laura Ashley" became the epitome of a romantic, feminine country house style:

    • Floral patterns, ruffles, cotton fabrics
    • Country-inspired dresses with a nostalgic flair
    • Wallpaper, curtains, bed linen, furniture in the "English Country Style"

    First own shop: Machynlleth, Wales (1961)
    More quickly followed in London, Paris, New York and Tokyo.

    Design style:
    • Trademark features: floral patterns, delicate pastel shades, hand-drawn motifs
    • Influence: Combination of historical design, handcrafted aesthetics and rural romanticism
    Tragic Death & Legacy

    Laura Ashley died in 1985 as a result of a fall down the stairs.

    After her death, the company continued to operate, albeit with varying degrees of success.

    Her legacy

    Laura Ashley is often associated with a rediscovery of traditional femininity and handicrafts – as a counterpoint to the fashion of the 1970s/80s.

    Her designs are now considered vintage classics, especially in the cottagecore and retro scenes. Available as a sewing pattern exclusively from McCALLS.

    The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London has already dedicated exhibitions to her and her work.

    Laura Ashley was not only a designer, but also the co-founder of an entire lifestyle that is still associated with elegance, romance and British country house culture.

    This feeling and unmistakable style live on in McCALLS sewing patterns! Immerse yourself in a world of romance and sew your own unique retro garment.

    Design by LAURA ASHLEY - Made by YOU!