Laura Ashley is an English retailer and marketing executive who has been involved in the textile industry for over 30 years. Laura Ashley plc is now a British owned textile design firm now owned by the MUI Group of Malaysia. It was started by Bernard Ashley, then a civil engineer, and his wife Laura Ashley then in 53 began selling clothes around the UK. Sales topped over£276 million in just 2021.
The business is based from London and the main products sold are maternity clothing. They also do children’s wear and lingerie. The business was established as a way to give a unique outlet to the work of Laura Ashley who specialises in maternity clothing. The business started out with just four working women but five later on tenions became part of the company. Laura Ashley was a well know figure in the maternity clothing industry having set up her own boutique as well as running her own photo shoot business.
Today Laura Ashley still runs her own photo shoot business as well as helping her mother run the company. She also helps with other companies and maternity clothing related tasks. Laura Ashley is one of the most successful female business leaders in the maternity clothing industry having reaped the benefits of a well-laid plan and hard work. She has seen the business expand worldwide and she is very proud of the achievements of her business.