Rise and Rise of Laura Ashley - 1976 

Thank you Catherine for viewing the Rise and Rise of Laura Ashley. But unfortunately the Ashley family fortunes and what they created were destroyed by a handful of dodgy directors. You need to view Laura Ashley Machynlleth, Mid-Wales and also Laura Ashley Fast Track - Operation Laura (both on RU-vid) which is a fascinating record of how the Company was run down. When it went into liquidation in 2020 an American company bought the name and the stock which was worth around £60 million. It is alleged LA was sold for around £23 million. It is illegal to run down a public company.

@@PVPTV2 Such a shame. Thank you for sharing this information. I’ve noticed Laura Ashley clothes on eBay get snapped up. Some of us woman in this world like modest and pretty clothes, young and old alike, and that’s what Laura Ashley (especially in the early days) provided. I think there’s a bit of a resurgence e.g. I came across ‘Cabbages and Roses’, an English company creating pretty and modest clothes etc (I just came across their name by chance from vlogger on RU-vid who likes things that are English - even though I live on the other side of the world I too like anything English - design, gardens etc). Anyway, thanks once again.

@@PVPTV2 I worked for the lovely Mrs. Ashley and opened the third shop in the U.S. in 1979.. She made it so very special.. I was under the impression that the name was now licensed by the Chinese and all items are Chinese made … Is that a "grey area" ????

@@1953childstar Before Sir Bernard Ashley died, he sold all the family shares so from that point they had very little to do with the running of the Company. The Malaysians then became the majority shareholders and in 2020 all the shops and the remaining factories were closed down and they sold out the brand name and stock to another organisation. The Laura Ashley brand is still in existence today, but very different to the original brand.

I am reading a book Lara Ashley A Life and Design by Anne Sebba second hand also and why watching this as well so most likely reading the same book.

There seem to be many parts to this documentary where there was more focus on the other aspects (including the prints). This was the first one I saw: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KZqNEi8rwX4.html

Sorry, the name was sold to the Chinese and all items are "Chinese made. Mrs. Ashley made the company and products special… Plus, the products were made in Europe.

@@1953childstar Actually it is owned by Gordan Brothers which is a Boston, Mass investment company. They do manufacture some products in China, but also in other parts of Asia, the Middle East, as well as the UK. They have reopened a Flagship store in West London and are looking at opening others in the future. It also sells through a joint venture with NEXT which has around 700 stores - 500 of which are in the UK and another 200 throughout Europe and the Middle East. It is not all roses but it is looking better than it has in years. I am hopeful.

@@jeffkevin9015 Imagine how I feel… I worked for Mrs. Ashley and opened the third shop in the U.S., in 1979.

@@1953childstar How lucky for you to have worked for her! My sister worked for her for 20 years. Right up to the end she held on hoping. It was a sad day when the doors closed on her shop. I have been collecting vintage textiles from LA for years now and I will agree the quality of what they are producing is not as good. I am hoping, as sales increase, they can improve and become, once again, the highly respected heritage brand they once were. I remain hopeful. All the best to you!

@@jeffkevin9015 Thank you.. That was a very special time in my life !! When Mrs. Ashley passed away, so did the company.

Or rather consumed her positive energy and enjoyed the rewards of her hard work.. I worked for her and opened the third shop in the U.S.

Yes I thought that when he was waffling on about calling the company after himself when it was her with the artistic talent !