Bernard Albert Ashley Businessman and engineer Date of Birth: 11.08.1926 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Bernard Albert Ashley
2. Early Life and Partnership
3. Growth and Challenges
4. Legacy and Family

Biography of Bernard Albert Ashley

Bernard Albert Ashley was a businessman and engineer who was married to the renowned fashion designer Laura Ashley and served as her business partner. Despite being often portrayed by the press as an engineer with a passion for trains, planes, and ships, Sir Ashley had a keen sense of style and a love for design. He held a stake in the corporation 'Laura Ashley Holdings' and the country hotel chain 'Llangoed Hall'. The newspaper 'Sunday Times' ranked Sir Ashley as the 796th richest person in the UK, estimating his fortune to be worth £60 million. He primarily lived in Brussels and owned homes in France and Wales.

Early Life and Partnership

After World War II, engineer Bernard Ashley met secretary Laura Mountney at a youth club in London. They got married in 1949, and while Laura continued to work as a secretary and raise their two children, she also devoted her free time to creating patterns for napkins, rugs, and kitchen towels. Bernard would then print these designs using a machine he had built himself in the attic of their small London apartment. Their initial investment in the business amounted to £10, which was spent on wood for frames, paint, and a few yards of linen fabric.

In 1953, Bernard left his job, and the Ashley couple began expanding their own company. This marked the beginning of a long journey that transformed their modest attic apartment into an international corporation with a brand recognized worldwide. Laura focused on designing prints, while Bernard engineered the printing equipment, forming a partnership that gave their company a unique strength for many years. Laura stepped down as the chief designer only shortly before her death.

Growth and Challenges

Initially, the company's name was a combination of their last names, 'Ashley Mountney,' but Bernard insisted that a feminine name would be more suitable for their products. In 1958, the company nearly went bankrupt when the River Darent flooded and their materials and equipment were found floating in the water. However, they managed to overcome this setback, and by 1970, their sales had reached £300,000, compared to just £2,000 at the beginning of their partnership.

In 1974, the Ashleys opened their first stores in Paris and San Francisco. By 1975, the company's turnover had reached £5 million per year, and they had a workforce of 100 people worldwide. In 1980, Bernard Ashley was knighted for his contributions to the industry. However, by the late 1980s, the signature Laura Ashley style began to fall out of fashion as women started preferring sharp, business-style suits that did not align with the soft floral aesthetic of Ashley's designs. The company had to come up with new ideas and innovations.

Legacy and Family

In 1993, the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, and in the same year, Sir Bernard retired as chairman, remaining the honorary president for life. Laura and Sir Bernard remained married until Laura's death in 1985. They had four children. In 1970, the couple bought a home in France, and to be able to spend more time with their family, Sir Bernard had to dust off his piloting skills. All of the Ashley children became involved in the family business. Their eldest son, David, designed and opened 182 stores throughout America; their daughter, Jane, became a photographer for the company; their youngest daughter, Emma, became a fashion designer, and their second son, Nick, who formerly served as the company's design director, launched his own brand, 'Nick Ashley,' selling exclusive men's clothing.

The remarkable success that accompanied their ventures allowed the Ashleys to acquire their own yacht, private plane, a French castle in Picardy, a house in Brussels, and a villa in the Bahamas, which was put up for sale for $8.5 million. Laura Ashley visited their children in the UK in 1985 and fell down the stairs on her 60th birthday. Ten days later, she passed away due to a stroke. However, the company she had created continued to bear her name, becoming synonymous with British elegance and good taste. Sir Bernard outlived her by nearly a quarter of a century. He passed away from cancer on February 14, 2009, and was buried next to his wife.