Collecting Laura Ashley, The Iconic UK Prairie Dress Brand

Laura Ashley built her successful company from the ground up with her partner, Bernard. They started their business in 1953 when Mrs. Ashley was 28 years old. Inspired by traditional handicrafts, she used just a £10 investment to make the first screen-printed scarves and tea towels in their kitchen. In 1959, she added a gardening apron and smock that got the attention of The London Sunday Times, which then catapulted the company into the fashion industry.

Ashley’s designs are heavily influenced by her love of nature, the English countryside, and Victorian style. Her prints are usually floral, and the dresses are romantic in style. They often have an empire waist, puff sleeves, and loads of ruffles.

Ashley’s prints and dresses have stayed popular throughout the decades because they have a timelessness to them. Ashley never aspired to make trendy garments but simply made clothes that people wanted, and still want, to wear. Laura Ashley was a lifestyle brand well before the term was coined.

Laura Ashley passed away in 1985, but the company is still active today. Now, let’s have a look at Kelley’s collection and hear why she loves the Ashley prairie dresses!

“This is the first Laura Ashley I bought. I found it at a consignment store in NYC and fell in love with the quality of the fabric and the print.

I once wore it for a date in Central Park on the rowboats with my now partner of five years.

I just think Laura Ashley dresses are so beautiful. They have so much fabric and move in a way that modern dresses can’t recreate. Vintage clothes are much better made than most garments you can buy today. I think Laura Ashley dresses are so special because of the fabric quality and the unique styles and patterns each dress has.

This pink dress is just so sweet. It’s a classic princess-cut Laura Ashley dress. I feel like a sleeping beauty whenever I wear it.

I have about twenty dresses in my collection. Most of them I bought on eBay. I’ve sold some off recently because while I do love the dresses, if I’m not wearing them regularly they’re just taking up space in my closet. I just always want to encourage people to wear and buy clothes they will love for years and years! I collect Laura Ashley dresses, but I also want to wear my collection.

I don’t want them to sit like museum pieces.

There is one piece I’m always on the lookout for. It’s from her early 1980s Bo Peep collection. It’s strapless and has an insane amount of ruffles. I’ve seen it for sale in my colors but I’m specifically looking for this green and pink floral color way. One day I’ll find it!

This yellow one is a very old Laura Ashley from the 1970s. The cotton is so soft I can just lounge in it all day.

I wear all my Ashley dresses, especially in the summer. They’re so comfortable and such eye-catching pieces. It’s also important to me that they don’t sit in my closet all year round. Clothing is made to be worn!

I call this my tent dress because there are yards and yards of fabric that just cascade around me when I wear it.

I would say do not overpay for Laura Ashley dresses. Some people sell them on eBay for insane amounts of money – upwards for $500 for a 1970s Ashley dress and I think that’s insane. If you’re paying over $200 for a vintage Ashley dress that’s too much.

It takes time but if you wait, you’ll find one for a reasonable price.

If I had to pick a favorite this would be it. This is the second ever Ashley dress I got and she’s nothing short of stunning. I wore this dress in my first ever viral video way back in 2020!

When you really get into these dresses, you’ll see that each tag is a little different and lists the place where the dress was made! The most common tag is ’Laura Ashley Made in Great Britain’. But you can also find ’Made in Holland’ and even Hong Kong! I’d say the most sought after dresses are the ones that say ’Laura Ashley Made in Wales’.”

Follow Kelley on Instagram and TikTok