The quintessentially English brand Laura Ashley is offering its fabrics, wallpapers and decorative accessories to U.S. customers for the first time today through its new website. In addition, select licensed products are also available for online purchase including bedlinens, lighting, permanent botanicals and Christening apparel.

Laura Ashley’s 56-year heritage gives it a rich archive of designs that inspire a diverse portfolio of classic and contemporary collections. The company plans to continue expanding its current licensed product categories alongside the British mix to allow customers the full range of global products.

“The new U.S. site is expanding on the success of the U.K. e-commerce operations, which has enjoyed year after year double-digit growth,” said President K.C. Ng. “The uniqueness of product along with the elegance of the fabric and wallpaper collections have been the key to the brand's continued success in the U.K.”

The company came from humble beginnings as a young designer named Laura Ashley and her husband began printing textiles from their London basement flat. The business took off in 1953 when the headscarves worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday” sparked a trend among young girls. Orders grew quickly for the enterprising couple, selling great quantities to London shops. In the 1960’s, Laura Ashley began making shirts and gardening smocks and later translated them into dresses that became popular worldwide. Retail stores began opening in London and beyond and home furnishings and accessories were added to the line in the 1970’s, making Laura Ashley a complete lifestyle brand.

Today, Laura Ashley brand can be found in thousands of retail stores throughout North America and continues to sell its name brand products via corporate-owned stores and franchises in over 30 countries.