Iconic British brand Laura Ashley has been acquired by Marquee Brands, the American conglomerate behind Ben Sherman. The US group, which boasts a portfolio of 17 brands, announced they purchased the fashion and home furnishings company from investment firm Gordon Brothers, though the price tag remains under wraps. Marquee Brands is keen to "unlock the future potential" of Laura Ashley with exciting plans for fresh products and partnerships.
Founded back in 1953, Laura Ashley will keep its UK team as part of this landmark deal. After falling into administration at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis nearly five years ago, Laura Ashley was forced to permanently close its 70 shops, resulting in numerous job losses. Nonetheless, just a year after these closures, it bounced back onto British high streets through a collaboration with Next focusing on homeware and furnishings.
This strategic acquisition serves as a cornerstone of Marquee Brand’s growth plans, establishing a European base in London for the first time. Marquee Brands' CEO Heath Golden commented: "Laura Ashley’s licensed business model and robust group of high-quality partners makes the brand a seamless addition to Marquee Brands. "We are excited to harness the strong affinity for this iconic brand and drive expansion across new platforms and partnerships.
" Tobias Nanda, head of brands at Gordon Brothers, gushed about the revival of the iconic Laura Ashley brand saying: "With the existing UK team in place, we are .