I recently acquired a Laura Ashley dress with what I know is a later tag (made in China) but the fabrics are high quality, linen outer and ecru cotton voile lining. I am curious to know where in the production timeline it would be placed. Am guessing sometime 1990s as made in China, but it does puzzle me. Is anyone able to help narrow it down? Many thanks
Laura Ashley 1990s ? Made in China but high end fabrics
- Thread starter Susan999
- Start date
bycinbyhand
VFG Member
I think it's contemporary, actually.
Really? I have looked online and Laura Ashley does not seem to have much of a clothing line anymore. And I would expect that anything contemporary that is made in China to have synthetic fabric composition, not 100% natural fibre material. But I am in Australia, and Laura Ashley has not been a presence here for a long time. I see they have stores in Malaysia and Dubai though.
Thanks for your response
Thanks for your response
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bycinbyhand
VFG Member
The labels, how they are sewn down, appear contemporary. I think they still do clothing... the website shows clothing, mostly womens and childrens. I am not sure about retail though, here in the states, maybe it's different in the UK and elsewhere.
I don't know what year this would date from, but I would be inclined to think that it is within the last 20 years. Everything with a Laura Ashley label is natural-fiber fabric from what I surmise. That is the company's thing, wherever and whenever the item is made. I am still searching for that same print online, and will update if I see it.
NylonNostalgia
VFG Member
As they said themselves, “The Laura Ashley brand is loved around the world for its quintessentially English heritage and romantic floral designs" - so they start making their "quintessentially English" dresses in China. Laura Ashley really did take the biscuit!
Even though they'd make you look like a bit-part extra from Little House on the Prairie, the Laura Ashley dresses with value are the 70's ones made in Wales and labelled as such.
Its not easy to pin these things down, especially with non-vintage, but Laura Ashley tentatively started outsourcing to China in the mid-80's (clearly too early for this particular dress) but didn't shift everything out there until 2019 when China looked like their last viable market when their financial outlook was rather smelly and brown. If I had to, I'd date it nearer the latter.
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Even though they'd make you look like a bit-part extra from Little House on the Prairie, the Laura Ashley dresses with value are the 70's ones made in Wales and labelled as such.
Its not easy to pin these things down, especially with non-vintage, but Laura Ashley tentatively started outsourcing to China in the mid-80's (clearly too early for this particular dress) but didn't shift everything out there until 2019 when China looked like their last viable market when their financial outlook was rather smelly and brown. If I had to, I'd date it nearer the latter.
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Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
I think it's newer too. Agree with others regarding LA favouring quality, natural fabrics.
When I used to work in the corporate sector I wore quite a bit of LA: I liked the combination of vintage-inspired plus good quality, nice and smart and yet feminine designs. The Australian operation closed in the early 2010s I think. This looks familiar, I would date as 2000-2010.
Nicole
(Melbourne, Australia)
When I used to work in the corporate sector I wore quite a bit of LA: I liked the combination of vintage-inspired plus good quality, nice and smart and yet feminine designs. The Australian operation closed in the early 2010s I think. This looks familiar, I would date as 2000-2010.
Nicole
(Melbourne, Australia)