The name Laura Ashley is associated with floral prints, romantic homeware, and a distinctly English country style. But behind the brand stood a Welsh designer whose story began at a kitchen table in the 1950s. This article explores who Laura Ashley was, what products the label offers today, and where to buy them in the UK.
Born Laura Mountney in 1925, she co-founded the company with her husband Bernard, turning hand-printed scarves and napkins into an international retail business. By the time of her death in 1985, there were more than 220 shops worldwide. The brand has since evolved through licensing partnerships and continues to sell clothing, homeware, and accessories.
Who Was Laura Ashley? The Story Behind the Brand
Laura Ashley (1925–1985), Welsh designer and businesswoman.
1953, originally in London.
Clothing, homeware, furniture, accessories including watches.
lauraashley.com, Next, John Lewis, factory outlet online.
- Despite the founder’s death in 1985, the Laura Ashley brand remains active through strong licensing partnerships with major UK retailers.
- Product line extends from classic floral dresses to modern homeware—watches and accessories are newer additions.
- The brand’s online offer includes a factory outlet section for discounted items, but pricing and sales are seasonal.
- No standalone Laura Ashley stores currently operate in the UK; all retail is through partners or its own website.
- The brand was acquired by Marquee Brands in January 2025, according to the official heritage site.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Laura Mountney (known as Laura Ashley) |
| Born | 7 September 1925, Dowlais, Wales |
| Died | 17 September 1985 (aged 60) |
| Company founded | 1953 |
| Headquarters | London, UK (brand now licensed) |
| Primary retailers today | Next, John Lewis, lauraashley.com |
| Iconic product | Floral print dresses and homeware |
Early Life and Career
Laura Ashley was born Laura Mountney on 7 September 1925 in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. She married Bernard Ashley in 1949; he handled engineering and finance while she created the designs. In 1953, the couple began printing silk-screen designs onto scarves, napkins, and tea towels, inspired in part by traditional handicrafts and the Women’s Institute. Early products included scarves, placemats, napkins, and tea towels, and the business soon moved into furnishings and clothing. Sources place the opening of the first shop in Machynlleth in 1961, with a later London shop in South Kensington in the late 1960s.
Legacy and Death
Laura Ashley died on 17 September 1985 in Coventry after a fall. By that time, the company had more than 220 shops worldwide. The signature Laura Ashley style had become known for romantic, Victorian, and English country aesthetics, with floral prints and natural fabrics. After her death, the brand continued under family ownership, expanded internationally, and later went through financial difficulties and restructuring.
Is Laura Ashley Still in Business?
Yes, as a brand, but not in the same founder-led form. According to the official heritage site, the brand was acquired by Marquee Brands in January 2025 and continues through collaborations and heritage-led collections. Laura Ashley products are currently sold through partners such as Next and John Lewis, as well as its own website. The original founder, Laura Ashley, is no longer alive.
What Products Does Laura Ashley Sell?
Laura Ashley Clothing and Fashion
The clothing line includes women’s and children’s apparel, accessories, and classic styles featuring floral prints. Dresses, blouses, and loungewear carry the romantic aesthetic the brand is known for. Availability varies by retailer; the official website and partner stores carry selected ranges.
Laura Ashley clothing is primarily sold through the official website and selected partners. Not all items are available in every retailer — checking multiple sources is recommended for specific pieces.
Laura Ashley Homeware and Furniture
Homeware covers sofas, curtains, bedding, lighting, wallpaper, tiles, and other lifestyle products. These are available at Next and John Lewis as well as on lauraashley.com. The homeware line remains the brand’s strongest category, with floral and vintage-inspired designs.
Laura Ashley Watches and Accessories
The brand offers a collection of watches and other accessories. These are a newer addition to the product range and can be found online through the official website and sometimes through third-party retailers. Availability may be seasonal.
Where to Buy Laura Ashley in the UK: Sales, Outlets, and Online
Official Laura Ashley Website
The primary online store is lauraashley.com. It carries clothing, homeware, furniture, and accessories. The site also features a factory outlet section for discounted items. Product categories are clearly organised, and the website ships to certain international destinations.
Sign up for the Laura Ashley newsletter to receive notifications about seasonal sales and exclusive discounts. Sale periods are not fixed but tend to align with traditional retail calendar events.
Laura Ashley UK Sale and Discounts
Seasonal sales occur periodically, often around holidays and end-of-season clearances. The website’s clearance and outlet sections offer reduced prices on selected lines. Exact dates of future sales are not fixed, so checking the website regularly is advisable.
Laura Ashley Factory Outlet Online
The brand operates an online factory outlet through lauraashley.com. This section features past-season stock and overstock items at reduced prices. Physical factory outlet stores may exist, but the available information does not confirm a current list of locations; the primary outlet channel is online.
Partner Retailers: Next and John Lewis
Next and John Lewis are authorised sellers of Laura Ashley homeware and some clothing lines. Both retailers offer large ranges on their websites. Next, for example, carries a dedicated Laura Ashley shop page, and John Lewis lists the brand among its homeware designers.
The existence of a formal ongoing partnership between Laura Ashley and Next is not confirmed by authoritative sources. References to the brand appearing on Next’s platform come from social media commentary rather than official announcements. Current product availability indicates a commercial relationship, but the exact nature remains unverified.
A Timeline of Laura Ashley’s Life and Brand History
- 1925: Laura Mountney born in Wales.
- 1953: Laura and Bernard Ashley start printing fabrics in London.
- 1960s: Expansion into clothing and home furnishings; first shop opens.
- 1985: Laura Ashley dies after a fall; brand continues under family.
- 1990s: International expansion; retail chain peaks.
- 2020: Laura Ashley Group enters administration; brand assets sold.
- 2021–present: Brand licensed to Next for homeware and to other partners for clothing and accessories; online presence revamped.
- 2025: Brand acquired by Marquee Brands, according to the official heritage site.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Laura Ashley Today?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Laura Ashley was born in 1925 and died in 1985. | Exact dates of future sales (e.g., “UK sale”) are not fixed – users should check the website. |
| The brand was founded in 1953. | Availability of specific products (e.g., watches, clothing) may vary by retailer and season. |
| Laura Ashley products are currently sold through Next, John Lewis, and lauraashley.com. | Whether physical factory outlet stores exist (the brand primarily operates an online outlet). |
The Evolution and Relevance of the Laura Ashley Brand
Laura Ashley transformed from a family-run fashion house into a licensed brand carried by major retailers. The 2020 administration and subsequent licensing deal with Next reshaped product availability, with homeware becoming the dominant category. The classic romantic style continues to find an audience through collaborations and heritage collections, keeping the brand relevant amid changing home and fashion trends.
The brand’s current model relies on partnerships rather than standalone stores. This allows Laura Ashley to reach customers through trusted retail channels while maintaining its distinctive design identity. The acquisition by Marquee Brands in 2025 signals a new chapter aimed at expanding licensed product categories and online presence.
Key Sources and Quotes on Laura Ashley
“Laura Ashley created a look that was unmistakably romantic, feminine, and quintessentially English.”
Wikipedia – Laura Ashley article (paraphrased)
“One of the world’s best-loved home and lifestyle brands.”
Facebook page description (lauraashleyuk)
Concluding Thoughts on Laura Ashley
The Laura Ashley brand endures as a heritage label, balancing its founder’s legacy with modern retail partnerships. While the original shops have given way to online platforms and partner stores, the floral prints and English country aesthetic remain widely available. For those looking to explore similar style insights, the Vivienne Westwood Pearl Necklace – Complete Buying Guide offers a related perspective on iconic British design. Another useful read is the Dressing Gown – How to Find the Best One in 2025 for anyone building a classic wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laura Ashley
Does Laura Ashley have a store in my city?
Laura Ashley no longer operates its own standalone stores. Products are available online via lauraashley.com, Next, and John Lewis.
How do I return a Laura Ashley item bought from Next?
Returns follow the retailer’s policy (Next or John Lewis). Check the specific retailer’s return page for details.
Does Laura Ashley ship internationally?
The official website lauraashley.com ships to certain countries; check the site for current shipping destinations.
Are Laura Ashley clothes true to size?
Customer reviews indicate consistent sizing; refer to the size guide on the product page.
Does Laura Ashley still sell wallpaper and tiles?
Wallpaper and tiles were part of the brand’s original product expansion and are still available through homeware ranges on the official website and partner retailers.
What style is Laura Ashley known for?
The brand is known for romantic, Victorian, and English country aesthetics, with floral prints and natural fabrics.
Henry Wallace is Managing Editor at NewsPrism.co.uk, running the daily news list and covering UK and world affairs.