Remembering Laura Ashley…
n 1953, a young (twenty-eight) Welsh secretary, Laura Ashley, living in a small flat in London with her husband and two little children, was working on a quilt project; a craft she had learned from her grandmother. She was looking for certain kinds of Victorian fabric designs to use in her quilt but couldn’t find the colors and patterns she wanted.
nspired by printed fabric she had seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum, she designed what she was envisioning, which her husband, Bernard Ashley, then printed on a few yards of linen on a machine he made himself in their attic apartment. That was the beginning; the original investment was about $20. But worth a gazillion in display of faith and pluck.
ooking at her work, I think her fabric designs were inspired by the old quilts she grew up with; the clear yellows and blues, soft romantic pinks, old fashioned milky greens; and the simple florals and prints you see in vintage quilts. I think maybe she was also in love with old China dishes. These two inspiration assignments are just conjecture on my part, because these are things that inspired my watercolors and I always felt she and I must be some kind of kindred spirits when it came to the colors and patterns we love.
he cotton scarves Laura and Bernard made in 1953 were an immediate hit in local stores. People fell in love with their style and color sense. Soon Bernard left his job to print fabrics and run their blossoming business full time. They did it all themselves, built their business slowly, and at the same time, continued to grow their family. It was Bernard’s idea to call the business Laura Ashley; he thought it should have a feminine name.
Behind every great woman, there’s a great man (if she’s lucky), preferably one who cooks.
y the 1980′s, there were over 200 Laura Ashley stores all over the world, filled with the most wonderful things you’ve ever seen: cotton and linen dresses, crisp white blouses, nightgowns, straw hats, lampshades, flowery umbrellas, dishes, fabric, wedding dresses, sheets and comforters, and wallpaper all in the softest, most beautiful colors and classic styles. Laura Ashley was shabby chic before shabby was chic! Maybe she was a tad chic-er than shabby, but her things all had a very soft romantic feel to them. I still have decorating books she produced that show her classic design sense in the houses she and her family lived in. Laura and Bernard Ashley changed the way millions of people decorated and thought about the comforts of home.
discovered Laura Ashley when I first came to New England. Whenever I left Martha’s Vineyard, I was always lost on the roads, especially when I got into the bigger cities, but still, like one of those beach geiger counters, the beep-beep in my head got louder and stronger as I honed in on the Laura Ashley store on Newbury Street in Boston. I never missed an opportunity to visit; would go to Boston just to go to that store, to be surrounded in the fresh colors I loved. I wallpapered my bedroom in my first house on the island in a sky-blue Laura Ashley print, and loved to wake up, still dreaming, in that blue cloud and listen to the birds singing, or watch the snow falling outside my windows.
remember one spring day, it might have been the first mild day of that year; I drove to Boston because I had a hair appointment. The daffodils were in bloom in The Common; I bought new dress at Laura Ashley. I wore it out of the store, walked up the street (thinking myself adorable, like Diane Keaton), went to my hairdressers where I got my hair cut — all clean and shiny, I then took myself and my Country Living magazine to lunch at a sidewalk cafe. That day is fresh in my memory; I remember feeling so happy and free and lucky in the sunshine with my new dress and haircut!
he Laura Ashley store was small, very close to The Ritz Hotel. The first thing you saw when you walked into the shop, was a table in the window set with Laura Ashley dishes for a tea party, on a Laura Ashley linen table cloth, with linen napkins and etched glassware. A person wanted to sit right down, drape herself with a napkin, pour the tea, click the cups into their saucers, but you couldn’t stop because there was more…
Just behind that was the clothing, rows of pure white cotton blouses, fitted with details such as capped sleeves, darts, covered buttons, some of them slightly gathered at the shoulder, some with stand-up collars; labels reading “cotton,” and “linen;” Made in Great Britain. The dresses were along the wall; skirts fluffed out like a colorful flower garden. The wedding dresses were toward the back in a glass case, like dessert, all whipped cream and lace; the furniture, wallpaper, and bolts of fabric, were up on a raised platform. It was heaven in there. I could’ve lived there.
ou won’t find Laura Ashley on Newbury Street anymore, because (big disappointment to find out, I’m quite against it) nothing stays the same; the store is gone. In 1985, there was a terrible accident. On her sixtieth birthday, much too young, Laura Ashley fell down a set of stairs at her daughter Jane’s house and died a few days later of a brain hemorrhage. Even though her name lives on, the Ashley family is no longer associated with the company. The heart had gone out of it for them; the designing woman, cherished wife, and mother of four children was gone, taking the color sense, the genius that was Laura Ashley, with her.
irls, if you never saw a Laura Ashley store you don’t know what you missed. I still have this wonderful hat, which I’ve never looked good in (I look like a bowling ball in it, it covers my eyes down to the tip of my nose). I knew I’d probably never wear it when I bought it, but I still could not resist such an adorable hat; it must be twenty-five years old now. I keep it in my studio, have painted it many times.
hen I think of inspiration, I think of Laura Ashley. She made the world a prettier place to live.
Are you a kindred spirit too? Comments…
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I probalby should be ashamed to admit the following but I STILL have a bedding ensemble that is (older than I care to remember) if I even could . It is the one with the petite pink fleurs with a small green leaf on a wwhite background.I just cant bear to part with them . I so love(d) everything she created and designed.
I think I still have a pair of pillowcases — I know I have a robe! It’s hard to let these things go.
how can i find a name of laura ashley vintage fabric made in holland? ive been looking for years for it!
I’m so sorry, I’m not sure what that fabric is!
Laura Ashley’s fabric catalogue is represented by Kravet fabrics …you may find the old patterns there…check out..don’t bother itemizing just after getting on page to “go”
kravet.com/search/fabselect.asp?code=ASH
you must remember Janet Russo clothing from Martha’s Vineyard circa 1977…
Our girlfriends are a wonderful resource, someone always knows the answer for any question! Thank you Ann! If you are meaning me, I didn’t get to the island until 1982 .. so I don’t recognize that name … I think I wish I did!
I still have my entire bedroom done in Laura Ashley it feels like spring every day!
I used to order the perfume which i LOVED and the Christmas wrapping paper–i think from Montreal back in the eighties—i always loved Laura Ashley and still do–my sister just bought an entire bed ensemble—-I tried to order a calendar from your website but i see you are out—i will look at amazon! i was SURE someone would get me one for Christmas!!!
I went to a Laura Ashley store in Ottawa-bought a maternity dress and felt beautiful!!-my son is now 29yrs old!! and the perfume made you feel you WERE living her life-ahhh!!
Thankyou for taking us down “memory lane” of Laura Ashley! I smile as I read your blog! When my first child was born, my sister gave me a bottle of No.1 perfume, still have it on my dressing table, 22 yrs later! Also have, tucked away in my cedar chest a quilt kit of Laura Ashely fabric squares from back then….one day i will make it….the fabric is still in the package! makes me smile! thanks again for the memory of that wonderful store!! blessins, Karen
Thank you for your memories of Laura Ashley. I have wondered why she is no longer mentioned anywhere, and why the stores are gone.
I too LOVED her designs and colors! They were romantic, pretty, cheerful, and soothing. I was in my twenties then, and she is STILL my favorite fabric designer.
I have to agree. She was “shabby” before it was chic!
Oh my goodness…YES! I feel like we’re kindred spirits! Every time I read your blog or get on your website I have to exclaim out loud: “AH! EXACTLY!” I had the most gorgeous Laura Ashley dress that I kept for years beyond being able to fit into it; my babies’ nursery was decorated in Laura Ashley; I have an entire dream bathroom decor in the works that I named “James Herriot meets Laura Ashley”. It will include lots of menswear pattern because the room is used by our teenaged boys; plus show my love of England and all things feminine–white linen ruffles and covered buttons and an antique beaded silver sugar bowl and creamer set for cotton balls and swabs!–because it’s the guest bath too. Anyway, just had to remark on your “Remembering Laura Ashley” page because I felt the same way about her and wanted you to know that I feel the same way about YOUR designs, Susan! YOU make the world a prettier place to live!
Thank you Sandy! Love the name for your dream bathroom decor! Could be very cute. Laura Ashley cows or little old Austins.
Hi Susan,
I wore a Laura Ashley dress for my first wedding. It had the high collar and was sheer at the top. Ecru colored. The skirt was full. I paid $75. 00 for it. That was a lot of money for me then. Actually had it on lay-a-way. Lovely 3/4 length dress.
I also wore if for my son’s baptism. So I have a number of pics of it. It had the covered buttons. I wore my hair in an updo with it.
The marriage did not last. But I loved that dress. I cut the skirt off it. Then hemmed the top part and used it for a blouse for quite a while. Very Gibson Girl
I have been to England. The sheep interesting as I am a knitter. Ireland is where I really want to go, tho
I buy your calenders and have one of your books. I love that the calenders have suggestion for each month.
Thanks for all the loveliness
Thank you Norah! Nice to meet you … love the sound of the Gibson Girl blouse you made!
Thank you for such a lovely memory page, I am still a Laura Ashley fan but much prefer the old designs from the 80′s. I am still making patchwork quilts from her vintage designs – I also think that the style of Diana, Princess of Wales goes hand in glove with LA.
Just found you here today and have spent the whole afternoon wandering around your beautiful blog world. My kitchen is still wallpapered in a Laura Ashley yellow and white check that was done in 1997. It’s getting shabby around the edges but I can’t bear to part with it and it has remained timeless. I loved those floral print overall bloomers she did too. Wish I still had mine! Wish your new book was going to be done soon, Hubby and I are planning our trip to Britain for this fall and would love your guidance! I’m so happy to have found your “charming” little corner here on the “interweb”! Love your movie list too! Thank you, Thank you!
You are so welcome! Hopefully the book will arrive just in time! No matter what I’m sure you will love your trip!
I live in SW Ohio(Cincinnati area).There was a Laura Ashley store in one of the malls here for a long time.I loved strolling through the store,admiring the gorgeous linens and the clothing( which my dimensions would never allow me to fit into).I never had much money to buy her goods but it did not stop me from enjoying the window shopping.Another favorite shop just a few doors from Laura Ashley was Crabtree & Evelyn,Summerhill is still a favorite scent and I treat myself to it as often as possible.
Truly unique dress. I am a kindred spirit. I married a kindred spirit. My two children are kindred spirits. Now all I need is a dress like that one to wear this summer.
P.s. was that a tip of the cap to Anne Shirley?
Oh how I loved our Laura Ashley store! I saved and saved to purchase dresses there. One Easter my daughter (who was about 8 at the time) and I got matching sailor dresses – except her’s was green and mine was pink. Then, during my first trip to England in, 1987, I went to a Laura Ashley store in London. How my little heart rejoiced that I had hit an “end of summer” sale and was able to purchase two dresses, two scarves and a picture frame for what I spent on one dress here in the states! My husband was also very indulgent in letting me do our bedroom in Laura Ashley in the 80′s. A favorite memory to be sure.
My bridesmaids’ and matron’s of honour dresses came from the Laura Ashley — they were so beautiful (the ladies, too)! Sadly, I don’t have any of the things left that I bought from her stores so many years ago. But in August 2011, I went to England to meet some of my fella’s family. They took me to the local town of Worthing and THERE was a Laura Ashley shop. Even though the style has changed, I could have spent days in that shop alone. I didn’t buy any clothes, but I did buy two big pieces of fabric, one of which now hangs as curtains in our dining room. We have no LA shops left in Canada now — so very sad. But my English sister-in-law lets me know when there are sales on in Worthing. At least I can dream.
I went to a Laura Ashley when I was in England . . . it wasn’t the old Laura Ashley, but it was still really nice.
I still remember the Laura Ashley store in South Coast Plaza(?)…somewhere here in CA. Love!! I had no idea she had died at such a young age and so tragically. She left us with so much beauty.
Hi Susan, I too was/am a Laura Ashley fan. I remember visiting her stores first at any mall I went to in Southern California, where I grew up. The bolts of fabric and signature drop waist dresses are still so clear in my mind. I loved her feminine white blouses with the lace trims and crisp florals ~ so very English! Of course, at the time, I always had to look toward the back of the store at her “sale rail”, because I was a struggling college student, but I always was inspired by her lovely stores. I can’t bear to give up my stash of her decorating books either! On my first trip to England and the Laura Ashley stores there, I was in Heaven! When she died so young, I was saddened and couldn’t believe it. The world lost a wonderful designer that day.
Just loved your “tribute” to Laura Ashley. I was always so happy to wander around her store in South Coast Plaza (SoCal) and decorated our bedroom in her fabrics, including two lampshades that I still have! By the way, I am taking watercolor classes — do you have a “favorite” type of watercolor paint? Just a dream that if I use your same type of paint that my art work would look like yours!!!
Oh, I am so happy I found your blog and website. I have always loved your style! I can’t resist commenting on your story about Laura Asheley — I love Laura Ashley — she is one of my role models!
I smiled when I saw my kitchen wall paper (blue & while flowers) from my first condo in your blog!
I wore Laura Ashley dresses when I was pregnant. I had three nurseries in three different houses, but I painted them all the same soft, pale yellow and moved in my Laura Ashley white eyelet bedding and Beatrix Potter books and the little rocking chair I nursed my babies in with a yellow-white-blue striped L.A. fabric! It was perfectly lovely for my two boys, then my daughter!
I even met Nick Ashley in London following his mother’s retirement (when she was living in France (?) I have created little whimsical characters and I could envision them wearing Laura Ashley clothes. It was so exciting meeting with him.
I am sad to know that name is no longer associated with the family.
Thank you for sharing this delightful story! It brings a smile to my face on this blustery, cold and snowy New England Day!
Dear Susan,
I was the first person to suggest that you write a book about England on your blog. Do I get an autographed copy too?
Barb
absolutely!
Thank you so much Susan! I am beyond excited!
Dear Susan,
I know I am a bit late in catching up on all your doings… it appears that I haven’t been receiving your newsletter, as I have in the past!?
Now that I’ve located your blog (via facebook), I can enjoy your lovely writing and reminiscenses.
I too fondly remember the beauty of Laura Ashley. Your description of walking into one of her stores, for the first time, was right on. Seeing her glorious printed fabrics, wall coverings and clothing was awe inspiring… especially for someone who could barely afford the wrapping paper. I did finally acquire a dress from one of the sale racks.
“Thanks for the memories…”
Donna, you can sign up again for Willard in the right hand column of this blog … let’s try again!
Wow! How wonderful to read this! We must be girlfriends! I had that same blue wallpaper in my bedroom in my first house. I had the coordinating curtains and comforter and dust ruffle too. I loved shopping at her store in New Jersey. Over the years I bought 2 sundresses…they both were so pretty. One had bright blue and pick flowers…so dreamily feminine. The other was pure white cotton. Oh I remember feeling so pretty. Thank you for bringing me down memory lane. Oh and I just remembered that I bought a sweet little wool coat for my four year old son. He looked adoreable in that little green coat…22 yrs ago!
Susan,
I have been following you for years and even got my sister in England following you. We both love your Calendars and it is part of my Christmas gift to her every year. She lives in the Cotswolds in a beautiful cottage and your pictures remind me of her which is such a great way to connect when we are not on the phone. Anyway, I too love Laura Ashley and I wore the prettiest dress for my baby shower 18 years ago. We had Laura Ashley linens and I too had the cutest bowler hat. Thanks for bringing back such lovely memories.
Shefali
Look at your darling name! Thank you Shefali! Be sure to say hello to your sister for me!
I was just showing someone at work your website. Laura Ashley inspired so many women to be creative in their homes. In 1985 My husband and I owned and ran a hotel in Lyme Regis , England. We had three rooms decorated in Laura Ashley fabrics. They were very romantic and even the men wanted to stay in them! Thank you for taking me back down memory lane! I still also have your 1st book! I love seeing your blogs. Jenny from Carmel Ca.
Hi Jenny! Nice to see you here!
I still have a bottle of her perfume on my counter….scent is almost gone, but can’t get rid of it. Loved her fabrics also!
Susan Thank You so Much for reminding me about Laura Ashley. I am a late comer to the Parade of Grateful, Awed, Joyful admirers of your exquisite vision of the world. I found out about you in a Quilt store a friend of mine took me too when I visited her on Vashon Island in Washington state. Her niece had made a sample quilt with your Vineyard fabrics and I just about cried seeing your fabrics. Of course I bought everything…they remain in a special box with your pattern included just waiting to be patched and quilted.
I have been meaning to write you and thank you for bringing such beauty and whimsy into my life. How I wish I could draw what makes me so happy…but then I have you to do it for me! How wonderful to know someone else cherishes and loves what I do….who knew there were so many “Sisters/ Girlfriends” out there! You have made a place for us to share.
But I digress…..Laura Ashley was (along with Lanz ) the designer(s) I wished I could afford too….I would save my money and but just one piece at a time. I would dream of one day having the linens too. As time went on and new styles came along I packed away those blouses, dresses and skirts…I just could not give them away. Years have passed and I am retired now and have a cottage on my property that had boxes of “Corporate Work” clothes and clothes that were packed away. My daughter came up to help me go thru the 8 Moving boxes with the clothes. Unfortunately some of the boxes got damp and mildewed and my Laura Ashley clothes got partly ruined and STILL I could not throw them away. You reminded me that I saved the Blue with pink roses – tiered full skirt just for the fabric that was not ruined. The pink blouse with puff sleeves and tucks down the front….too sweet to give away….So now I need to find WHEREI PUT them …They should be made into something so I can enjoy seeing those fabulous prints. Oh, I hope I saved more of the pieces. I remember how I felt wearing them…so special.
So again, thank you for your tribute to her and for stirring up such good memories. Phylllis
How great — you could make a quilt out of them!!! Wouldn’t that be gorgeous!?! Her fabrics were so charming. Nice to meet you Phyllis!
Great Suggestion Susan….will let you know what I do with the fabric..tho you should see my “sewing” room…it is loaded with 30′s fabric, Kaffe Fassett fabrics, your fabric, Shabby Chic projects, cowboy alfalfa sacks, and tons of realllllllll feed sacks…I just love looking at them and touching and refolding them and putting them in color order……fabriholic I think the term is for me…I even have my original sewing machine a 1957 Necchi in a dusty rose, my Second hand Janome, TWO Singer Featherweights annnnnnnnnnnnnd the new small Bernina..so there is no excuse for all that fabric just sitting there waiting to be spun into something wonderful…cannot seem to get my mojo going….Ideas galore just have to put them in motion….So thank you for all the inspiration …
Your sewing room must be heaven!
In 1985 I worked in the Laura Ashley store in the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, Florida….I was allowed to design the store windows (a great honor for me) this was one of my first jobs!! I loved it!! We….all of us from the the store were going to go to the family’s home in Palm Beach to visit Ms. Ashley….I was so excited I was beside myself…then we were told the tragic news that she had fallen down the flight of stairs….oh very very sad….I have photos of myself in her dresses…it was a company policy that we were to wear her dresses while we were working in the store….I wore one dress in particular till 1993. I still have her saphire blue twin bedding set. I have gone on eBay to purchase more of her bedding. The bedding is so very soft and comfy compared to today’s linens…So…I almost got to meet her in person!! I love Laura Ashley.
Oh no, you just missed her! And you were so lucky to get to do the windows, using so many beautiful things to do it! Thanks for the memories Katherine.
I, too, loved, loved, loved all things Laura Ashley. I made two of her jumper patterns into maternity outfits. Plus, found one of her dresses for my then two-year-old daughter’s birthday – on sale! – a beautiful sailor dress of french blue cordoroy that I still have and hope to get a granddaughter to wear some day, too. And, I named my second daughter Ashley Lauren! It was so great to read everyone’s comments about Laura Ashley – I feel so much the same way as they all do/did.
I have enjoyed it too … I never realized so many would feel that same connection!
I, too, loved the unique style of Laura Ashley’s clothing. She brought back a “Romantic Era” in the Eighties. The quality of her clothing, bedding, etc. was
unmatched. I also enjoyed her special holiday items. It was so enjoyable shopping at her stores, and I miss those times!
Thanks for sharing her story, Susan.
Everyone has such wonderful Laura Ashley memories. I too have a straw sailor hat from about 25 years ago that I cannot part with. Laura Ashley is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. I was thrilled to see that they have brought back their English clothing to the US along with fabrics and wallpapers. Just go to Lauraashleyusa.com. They have even brought back the old Bloomsbury collection.
I still tease my daughter about how much I had wanted a little Laura Ashley
when she was young, but have settled on a Laura Ashley granddaughter….
at least when she’s at my house and we can play dress-up together.
Thank you for the tribute to a wonder lady!
I was enthralled with Laura Ashley designs from the first time I saw them, and shopped there so much and often that they offered me a job (which I took, as I got first dibs on all the new dresses and other clothing) part time, and my wedding was of course in a Laura Ashley dress as well as my bridesmaids. My house was done up in custom Laura Ashley in every single room, and my kids each had their own choice of Laura Ashley designs for their rooms. I still love the designs, and I think I always will. My heart is just with another time, that of gentle breezes, sailor dresses, loose cotton and crisp linen. I even bought dresses for my daughter before I was even married and had kids! My kids even had Laura Ashley stuffed animals, and I still use my Laura Ashley dinnerwear and tea sets. I just can’t imagine a world without Laura Ashley floral designs, and it was truly a sad day when she died, and later when the company left the hands of the family and then left the U.S.
It was a sad day. I keep waiting for them to understand her sensibility and it’s importance and just bring it all back.
I still collect Laura Ashley “Alice” dishes which can often be found on eBay.
It’s hard to find the dinner plates in good condition because they usually get the most use and abuse but I recently acquired four “like new”. The thrill of the hunt! My sister, Vickie, who is a gifted interior designer must think me awfully boring because I replaced my pink checked wallpaper which I had since the 80′s with a different pink check paper because I couldn’t part yet with my dainty pink floral dishes!
If it ain’t broke . . . ♥