Laura Ashley

Employing staff to cope with the growth of sales the company was originally registered as Ashley Mountney (Laura's maiden name) Bernard changed the name to Laura Ashley because he felt a woman's name was more appropriate for the type of products. This put them on the road to becoming an international company with a brand that is recognized around the globe. Her husband was knighted only after her death; hence Laura Ashley was always Mrs.

She later expanded into clothing design and manufacture in the 1960s. She originally made furnishing materials in the 1950s. Laura Ashley (7 September 1925 – 17 September 1985) was a Welsh fashion designer and businesswoman.