Your current location:HOME >style >FIRST LOOK: As Laura Ashley relaunches, how does it stack up against its vintage heyday? 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 18:14:07 Source: Internet compilationEdit:style
Laura Ashley — two words for ever identified with pretty prints and floral fabrics, it’s one of thos
Laura Ashley — two words for ever identified with pretty prints and floral fabrics, it’s one of those British brands that conjures up feelings of warm nostalgia.
Whether it’s a ditsy rose cotton dress or sweet pea curtains, chances are your wardrobe — and home — was once full of the classic styles that became so iconic in the 1970s and beyond.
When it went into administration in 2020, only childrenswear and homeware remained, leaving the rest of the business to one side. Now, after four years in the wilderness, a new womenswear collection is launching that harks back to Laura Ashley’s heyday, yet has been seamlessly updated to reflect modern tastes, feeling fresh and relevant.
This tiered maxi dress from Laura Ashley's new collection comes in a trademark floral print and retails for £85
This new matching linen co-ord offers a more modern silhouette in comparison to a similar dress from 1987. The shorts cost £38 while the top retails for £34
If you’re a fan of the prints intrinsically linked to the brand, you won’t be disappointed — these have been reworked in prairie dresses that neatly tap into this season’s boho trend.
You won’t go far wrong with an off-the-shoulder maxi in a paisley pattern copied from a wallpaper print, or a nostalgic ruffle sleeve incorporated into a brighter, bolder look that steps away from the favoured pastels of old.
If you think floral dresses belong in the past, however, know that the new collection is not all about dresses. Matching shorts and top co-ords that offer more modern silhouettes will be smart together and practical apart.
Taking inspiration from Laura Ashley’s enormous archive was key to shaping the new collection, updating old styles into those designed to entice a younger generation of fans.
Gone are big bows and fluffy petticoats; in their place are more revealing spaghetti straps and open backs. Where once there was an apron dress (presumably to keep your sewing kit in), now there’s denim (a first) wide-leg jeans in the softest washed blue, or tapered chinos with a cropped ankle that shout city break.
But fear not, there’s still some of the old favourite shapes too. They know that a belted shirt-dress cut to flatter hips and thighs has just as much place in our wardrobes today as it did then. Ditto a failsafe simple cream shirt that goes with just about anything.
Laura Ashley was an early pioneer of natural fabrics, and with sustainability now being the watchword for many fashion brands, never was this more relevant. Look out for breathable white blouses — now with lower necklines and more subtle puff sleeves — all in cotton certified by the Better Cotton Initiative.
The new range stays true to heritage prints, such as in this dress from 1993, with a puff-sleeve shirt costing £42 and tapered chinos for £58
Now is the time to re-embrace the heritage brand, with this printed dress costing £70 providing a modern twist on a classic Laura Ashley silhouette
While the 1970s dress had a modest neckline, the new more daring style is backless: maxi dress, £75
For the first time Laura Ashely is offering denim: wide-leg jeans, £55; puff-sleeve shirt, £38
However, in these rocky times for our high streets, it’s not enough merely to focus on environmentally-friendly fabrics. Equally inclusive is the sizing, from an 8-22, and the consideration of budget, with everything priced between £32 and £85.
So now’s the time to re-embrace this heritage brand, combining old meets new, fun meets classic — and all still charmingly rosy.
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored2024-05-21 17:58
NZ could breach European free trade deal if it doesn't meet Paris Agreement obligations2024-05-21 17:29
Coalition deals: What happens if things go wrong2024-05-21 17:15
Coalition talks: No more face to face meetings this weekend2024-05-21 17:10
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain2024-05-21 17:01
Pilot of crashed Baltimore ship called for tugboat help minutes before ploughing into bridge2024-05-21 16:53
Ministry for the Environment asks for voluntary redundancies2024-05-21 16:04
More videos of Kiwi hostage Philip Mehrtens in Papua warn against Indonesian military air strikes2024-05-21 15:46
Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro2024-05-21 15:40
Judith Collins picks up raft of ministerial positions in new government2024-05-21 15:30
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo2024-05-21 18:08
Coalition talks: No more face to face meetings this weekend2024-05-21 17:51
Watch: PM Christopher Luxon announces building products shake2024-05-21 17:07
Seymour 'achieved what I wanted' in 102024-05-21 17:04
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia2024-05-21 16:59
Large blaze at Auckland scrap metal site contained2024-05-21 16:43
The 96th Annual Academy Awards2024-05-21 16:27
Landlord tax breaks will blow out by $1b2024-05-21 16:20
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky2024-05-21 16:19
Minister for Employment Louise Upston 'really feels' for public servants losing their jobs2024-05-21 15:59