Bernard Ashley (businessman) facts for kids

Sir Bernard Albert Ashley was a clever English businessman and engineer. He was married to Laura Ashley, and together they built a famous fashion and home goods company. Bernard was known for his love of trains, planes, and boats. Even though he was often seen as a businessman, he also loved colors and design. He helped make the Laura Ashley brand known all over the world.

Early Life and Beginnings

Bernard Ashley was born on August 11, 1926. His parents were Albert and Hilda Maud Ashley. He went to Whitgift Middle School in Croydon, England.

How Laura Ashley Began

After World War II, Bernard, who was an engineer, met Laura Mountney. They met at a youth club in Wallington, London. Laura was a secretary and a mother. She started designing small items like napkins and tea towels. Bernard helped by printing her designs. He even built his own printing machine! They started their business with just £10 in an attic flat in Pimlico, London.

From 1953, Bernard left his regular job. He and Laura decided to grow their company. Laura created the designs, and Bernard built the equipment to print them. This teamwork made their company very strong and special. Laura focused on design, while Bernard managed how the business worked.

Growing the Company

At first, the company was called Ashley Mountney, using Laura's maiden name. But Bernard changed it to Laura Ashley. He felt a woman's name was better for the products they sold.

In 1955, the company moved to Kent. However, they almost lost everything in 1958. The River Darent flooded, covering their equipment and fabrics in water. Despite this, their sales grew from £2,000 to £8,000 by 1960. The family moved to Wales in 1961.

In 1967, their factory moved to a railway station in Carno, Wales. Bernard improved his printing process. He could now produce 5,000 meters of fabric each week! In 1966, Laura designed her first dress for everyday wear.

By 1970, sales reached £300,000 a year. One shop in London sold 4,000 dresses in just one week! This led to a new factory in Newtown, Montgomeryshire.

Becoming a Global Brand

The company opened its first shop in Paris in 1974. This shop had the famous green front and wooden inside. In the same year, the first USA shop opened in San Francisco. Laura Ashley products also started selling in Australia, Canada, and Japan.

By 1975, the company was making £5 million a year. It employed a thousand people around the world. Laura was offered an award from the Queen, but she turned it down. She was upset that Bernard hadn't been offered one too. However, they did accept a Queen's Award for Export in 1977.

After Laura passed away in 1985, the company became a public company. This meant people could buy shares in it. Bernard Ashley was given the title of Sir in 1987.

Towards the end of the 1980s, Laura Ashley designs became less popular. New fashion styles were emerging. Sir Bernard retired as chairman in 1993. He became an honorary life president.

New Ventures: Elanbach

In 2000, Sir Bernard started a new fabric company called Elanbach. He asked his daughter, Emma Shuckburgh, to be its creative director. The company was named after Emma's home in the Elan Valley in Wales. Elanbach was based at Sir Bernard's hotel, Llangoed Hall.

Emma was surprised when her father asked her to join. She said it was "a realization of a dream." Emma had grown up watching her mother design. She even designed her first dress for Laura Ashley when she was 14! Elanbach opened its first shop in Hay-on-Wye in 2001. Emma's daughter, Rose, also contributed designs.

Family Life and Legacy

Laura and Sir Bernard were married from 1949 until Laura's death in 1985. They had four children. The family often traveled by plane, with Sir Bernard being a skilled pilot.

All their children were involved in the business. David, their oldest son, helped open many shops in America. Their daughter Jane was the company photographer. Emma, their youngest daughter, designed fabrics. Their second son, Nick, was a design director for Laura Ashley. He later started his own menswear brand.

The success of their company allowed the Ashleys to own a yacht, a private plane, and homes in France, Brussels, and the Bahamas.

In 1985, Laura passed away after an accident. She is buried in Wales. Sir Bernard married Regine Burnell in 1990. He passed away from cancer on February 14, 2009, and is buried with Laura. Their names live on through the famous Laura Ashley brand.