I have followed Laura Ashley for many years working around the Chelsea scene as interior designer, finisher and project manager, and joined them in 2005, but what amazes me is the lack of will to create a true design statement – finding the icon has alluded LA.

Why is that?  and let’s face it, the problem is not isolated to LA alone… John Lewis could also be accused of falling short on designing the iconic range across key categories, but at least they drive well planned NPD strategies.

Looking at Laura Ashley Plc  it is an organisation based on two strengths:  customer loyalty and … blind customer loyalty.

But faced with the inevitable client lifespan issue what new schema of pure design is pitched at the younger audience (or any audience for that matter)?

LA suffer continual staffing turnover problems and this is driven by many deep rooted issues…