It was Audrey Hepburn who inadvertently
sparked the growth of one of the world's best-loved and most
successful fashion and home furnishing companies. Audrey appeared
alongside Gregory Peck in the 1953 film "Roman Holiday",
sporting a headscarf and so creating a style that became an
instant hit around the globe. It was at exactly that time
that a young couple, Laura and Bernard Ashley, were starting
to produce headscarves as well as table mats and napkins on
their kitchen table in a flat in Pimlico. The Ashleys had
invested £10 in wood for the screen frame, dyes and
a few yards of linen. The scarves were an instant success
with stores such as John Lewis and Heal's and put them on
the road to becoming an international company with a brand
that is recognised around the globe.
