Laura Ashley Appoints IMG
Iconic brand Laura Ashley has announced it has appointed IMG to expand fashion, home and lifestyle products that reflect the illustrious British heritage brand in a fresh, modern way in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, India and the Middle East.
The multi-year deal will see IMG work with the brand to create new Laura Ashley apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty and homeware items through carefully selected licensing and retail partnerships and collaborations.
Founded in 1953 in a flat in Pimlico, London by the husband-and-wife team of Bernard and Laura Ashley, the brand began with printed fabrics and headscarves and became internationally renowned for fabrics, home furnishings, apparel and accessories adorned by its signature designs, prints and patterns.
Laura Ashley’s iconic aesthetic continues to resonate around the world throughout interiors and wardrobes. Laura Ashley successfully relaunched a home collection in 2021 with its main retail partner NEXT plc on a dedicated ecommerce platform and in over 50 NEXT stores across the UK.
Carolyn D’Angelo, Managing Director, Brands at Gordon Brothers and President of Laura Ashley, commented: “We are excited to be working with IMG to expand the brand globally. Following the success of our spring home collection relaunch and fall fashion collaboration last year, it is clear there is a strong customer appetite for a new wave of Laura Ashley lifestyle products. We look forward to seeing the first designs of our 2023 fashion relaunch spring to life for the brand’s 70th anniversary and for the next generation of Laura Ashley customers.”
Tim Smith, Vice President, IMG, commented: “For almost 70 years, Laura Ashley’s iconic, quality-led designs, prints and patterns have continued to inspire the most coveted styles and fashion trends around the world. We are eager to leverage this rich heritage and the Laura Ashley archive, comprising more than 98,000 pieces of unique artwork, textiles and footage, to develop relevant new fashion and lifestyle products for existing and new fans of the brand.”
