Laura Ashley Made in Carno Wales Label

Michele Lomas

Registered Guest
Does anyone know a last approximate date that this Laura Ashley Made in Carno label was used please? Thank you so much.
Laura Ashley Made in Carno label.jpg
 
It's most likely to be 1970's, could you show a picture of the whole of the garment? that will help with dating. I am quite familiar with Laura Ashley clothing. She made the most wonderful maxi dresses in Wales in the 70's.
 
I think this is from the same dress you have shown here, which we thought was early 1980s. https://forums.vintagefashionguild.org/threads/vintage-laura-ashley-dress.76891/

Some manufacturing continued at Carno until 2005, though whether 'Made in Carno' appeared on the labels all that time I don't know. And I expect it was a minority of garments that were made there, or perhaps just certain aspects of manufacture such as printing and dyeing? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3951377.stm

Usually you need to use several factors to date a garment, not just the information on the label.
 
Last edited:
I think this is from the same dress you have shown here, which we thought was early 1980s. https://forums.vintagefashionguild.org/threads/vintage-laura-ashley-dress.76891/

Some manufacturing continued at Carno until 2005, though whether 'Made in Carno' appeared on the labels all that time I don't know. And I expect it was a minority of garments that were made there, or perhaps just certain aspects of manufacture such as printing and dyeing? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3951377.stm

Usually you need to use several factors to date a garment, not just the information on the label.

It certainly would not have been 60's or even early 70's as the label was quite different then. Most garments made in the 70's had the "Made in Carno, Wales' print on the label but a few in 1980 and a spattering afterwards in the early 80's. It would be really quite helpful to see the piece it its entirety. It was 1984 when they opened the powys factory, prior to that all item were made in Carno.

The 70's garment are quite distinct, with house on the prairie style maxi's and pretty ditsy prints as well as block colours. The blouses tend to the Victorian look popular at the time and the 80's was very classic to the 80's (wide cuts, shoulder pads, velvet strapless numbers etc) so it should be fairly easy to discern if we get some more photo's. :)

Edit: One thing that does make me think of later is that the sizing is given for multiple countries, there are things about that label that suggested 80s.
 
Last edited:
It was 1984 when they opened the powys factory, prior to that all item were made in Carno.
That's very helpful to know. So quite likely "Made in Carno" started disappearing from 1984ish, as I think they wouldn't make special labels just for Carno, even if clothing was still being manufactured there as well as Powys.
 
Did you mean a spattering in the early 90s?
No I meant 1980, and the early 80's. Typo (must remember to check before posting!) I think the 'Made in Carno' element started disappearing in 1980 and was completely gone by 84, but I will check more into that. I have never come across an 80's dress with the Made in Carno label, but maybe just because they are rarer?
 
I have never come across an 80's dress with the Made in Carno label, but maybe just because they are rarer?
I think the OPs dress in the other thread is exactly that - an 80s dress saying Made in Carno. Perhaps that also explains the metal zip - they were still using older notions in Carno that probably weren't being used elsewhere.
 
I think the OPs dress in the other thread is exactly that - an 80s dress saying Made in Carno. Perhaps that also explains the metal zip - they were still using older notions in Carno that probably weren't being used elsewhere.
Ah right! Yes that dress in the other thread is definitely 80’s! I hadn’t realised that the top label has ‘Made In Great Britain’ on it and that this thread just had the label beneath it, makes much more sense now.
 
Back
Top