Ben Sherman owner Marquee Brands snaps up Laura Ashley from Gordon Brothers

Marquee Brands, which owns a total of 17 brands including Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli and Martha Stewart, announced the strategic acquisition today and said it brings the company’s portfolio retail value to more than $4bn (£3.23bn).

The deal includes retaining Laura Ashley’s UK-based team and expanding Marquee Brands’ global footprint, as it is set to open its first European headquarters in London.

Marquee Brands said in a statement that it plans to leverage Laura Ashley’s global network and is “poised to deepen Laura Ashley’s presence” by driving new business across regions such as North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and EMEA.

Marquee Brands chief executive Heath Golden said: “Laura Ashley’s licensed business model and robust group of high-quality partners makes the brand a seamless addition to Marquee Brands. We are excited to harness the strong affinity for this iconic brand and drive expansion across new platforms and partnerships.

“With the existing UK team in place, we are primed and ready to leverage Laura Ashley’s seven-decade legacy to unlock its future potential as a full lifestyle brand innovating new products and categories, offering unique collaborations and engaging multi-generational audiences in key markets worldwide.”

Gordon Brothers head of brands Tobias Nanda added: “As a firm that actively invests in and revitalises iconic brands like Laura Ashley, we acquired the British heritage brand out of insolvency in 2020 and built a flexible, scalable licensing business and a global e-commerce presence over the last four years.

“We could not be prouder of Laura Ashley’s growth under Carolyn D’Angelo’s leadership, the former President of Laura Ashley, and know the brand is in the right hands for continued global growth under Marquee Brands’ leadership.”

British heritage brand Laura Ashley was first founded in 1953 and became “synonymous with timeless design, blending delicate florals, vintage-inspired motifs and exceptional craftsmanship”.

The fashion and lifestyle brand first appointed administrators in March 2020 and at the time blamed the Covid pandemic for a “significant” impact on trading.

Laura Ashley was then rescued a month later in April 2020 by Gordon Brothers, which bought the brand and its intellectual property from administrators PwC.

Laura Ashley has since made a return to bricks-and-mortar retail with the opening of a shop-in-shop within the Next store at London’s Westfield shopping centre, White City, as well as partnering with companies including Mamas & Papas, Batsheva and Baggu.