Laura Ashley, The Romantic Heroine

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Laura Ashley label, this exhibition encapsulated the vision of the romantic heroine that this iconic designer gave to fashion in the 1960s and 1970s.

A selection of 70 dresses from this era - on loan from the Laura Ashley archive in Wales, the Fashion Museum in Bath and private collections - were displayed. Caroline Peacock, chairman of The Friends of The Bowes Museum, also donated her personal collection of Laura Ashley dresses which she ‘lived in during the 70s.’

The exhibition showed the departure from the knee length and mini-dress styles dominating fashion in the swinging 60s and 70s, instead drawing on the past for inspiration. The trend was unprecedented: a modern take on the Victorian-inspired style enabled women and girls throughout the country to wear the chaste cotton print maxi-dress in earth-hewn colours, harking back to a more pastoral idyll far away from city. It defined the term, ‘The Laura Ashley dress’, furthering the iconic status of the label.

Related Events

‘You Never Wore That Mum!’
1 October, 2.30, £12.00 Adults, £11.00 Friends of The Bowes Museum (includes afternoon tea)
Helen Cannam shares the story of one of her dresses which is on show in the current Laura Ashley exhibition. Booking required on 01833 690606. 

Laura Ashley and Me
15 October, 2.30
Join these gallery talks to hear women’s stories of how they came to own some of the dresses on show in the current Laura Ashley exhibition.

Floral Heaven
15 October, 10.30 - 2.30, (inc lunch and refreshments) £52.50 Adults. £50.00 Friends of The Bowes Museum
Join international florist Jonathan Moseley, who will be demonstrating beautiful arrangements full of autumn colour. Booking required on 01833 690606.

Children’s workshop – Printing Patterns
28 October, 11.00 – 3.00
See the wonderful patterned garments in the current Laura Ashley exhibition before trying out printing your own patterns in this drop in workshop. Children must be accompanied by an adult, for whom normal admission applies.

Laura Ashley and Me
12 November, 2.30
Join these gallery talks to hear women’s stories of how they came to own some of the dresses on show in the current Laura Ashley exhibition.

Much More Than Paper
16 November, 10.00 – 4.00, £48.50 Adults, £47.00 Friends of The Bowes Museum
Create unique gift wrap or bespoke wallpaper with the help of Northern Print. Booking required on 01833 690606.

Festive Fashion
30 November, 10.00 – 3.00, £20.00 Adults 
Join designer Phil Woodhead of Buckley Womenswear to make a Christmas gift or decoration inspired by the current Laura Ashley exhibition. Please bring along a basic sewing kit. Booking required on 01833 690606.

Laura Ashley and Me
3 December, 2.30
Join these gallery talks to hear women’s stories of how they came to own some of the dresses on show in the current Laura Ashley exhibition.