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Dress

1970-72 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The fabrics of early Laura Ashley dresses took inspiration from historic textiles, often reproducing prints from 19th century cottons. They also borrowed patterns from woven medieval and Renaissance textiles. The design of the fabric in this dress was inspired by a tapestry in the Museum's collections. To see the original 1425-30 tapestry, 'The Boar and Bear Hunt', look up object number T.204-1957.

This dress, made up in a wide range of colours and print cottons, was a best-selling design for Laura Ashley throughout the 1970s and well into the 1980s. Its high neck, tucked bodice and long blouse sleeves give it a classic, vaguely Edwardian look. Laura Ashley was particularly known for good quality dresses in easily washable cotton, rather than for trend-based fashions.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Dress
  • Sash
Materials and techniques
Printed cotton
Brief description
Dress and sash, purple-printed white cotton with a design based on the Boar & Bear Hunt tapestry
Physical description
Full length dress in heavy white cotton with tucked bodice, high neck, and long sleeves, trimmed with cotton lace. The fabric is printed with a dense, single-tone purple design directly based upon one of the Devonshire Hunting Tapestries, the Boar and Bear Hunt. Self-fabric sash.
Production typeReady to wear
Marks and inscriptions
'laura ashley made in wales' (Label inside dress, type used 1965-1972)
Credit line
Given by Daniel Milford-Cottam
Subjects depicted
Summary
The fabrics of early Laura Ashley dresses took inspiration from historic textiles, often reproducing prints from 19th century cottons. They also borrowed patterns from woven medieval and Renaissance textiles. The design of the fabric in this dress was inspired by a tapestry in the Museum's collections. To see the original 1425-30 tapestry, 'The Boar and Bear Hunt', look up object number T.204-1957.

This dress, made up in a wide range of colours and print cottons, was a best-selling design for Laura Ashley throughout the 1970s and well into the 1980s. Its high neck, tucked bodice and long blouse sleeves give it a classic, vaguely Edwardian look. Laura Ashley was particularly known for good quality dresses in easily washable cotton, rather than for trend-based fashions.
Associated object
T.204-1957 (Source)
Collection
Accession number
T.61:1, 2-2008

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Record createdSeptember 9, 2008
Record URL
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