ARCHIVE - 1970s Laura Ashley White Cotton and Blue Cornflower Print Dress
Laura Ashley was the most famous name on the British High Street from the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. The textile founded company made some fantastic and fabulous quality clothing taking inspiration from bygone eras. Made in Wales, this lightweight cotton dress is an early example of Laura Ashley’s romantic prairie-inspired style, blending Victorian and Edwardian references with the homespun femininity that defined her early 1970s aesthetic.
Printed with soft cornflower-blue florals, the dress is cut with an empire waist defined by a plain white cotton band and drawstring tie that fastens in a bow at the front. The bodice features gentle pleating above the waistband and fastens with three large pearlescent buttons. A Peter Pan collar trimmed with white crochet frames the neckline, echoed in the split angel sleeves trimmed with crochet that tie with small bows above the elbow. Puff shoulders and a gently A-line skirt complete the laid-back, feminine silhouette. This dress is unlined.
This dress is in excellent vintage condition with no issues. It has the most desirable of the early Ashley labels and reads “Laura Ashley - Dyers and Printers and Made in Wales" which dates from the early to mid 1970s. Made from 100% Cotton and labelled a size M, please check our measurements below as the fabric has no stretch. Will fit a range of sizes up to a UK 10 or US 6.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 36 in. (91 cm)
UNDERBUST - 34 in. (86 cm)
HIP - 62 in. (157 cm)
LENGTH - 52 in. (132 cm)
Pickup currently unavailable at CIRCA VINTAGE
F.A.Q.
Where can I find more information about this item?
We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any item on our site. Please get in touch at shop@circavintage.com or on +44 (0)20 7365053.
Will you set anything aside for me for my appointment?
We are happy to find anything you may be interested in from our website. We have an extensive offline collection. It is helpful if you can let us know your size, style, favourite colour to wear and perhaps your budget in advance of your appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
Clients may wish to bring modern shapewear. You may also wish to bring favourite footwear. We often find a classic pair of nude shoes work well when trying-on, or gold and silver. We have a huge variety of slip dresses and petticoats to complete your look. Many of which are also for sale.
Do you have a price range at the showroom?
Many of our lower priced pieces, under £250, are not available to buy online. Dresses usually start at £150 and go up to £30,000 for the very best archival couture. Our bridalwear price points range from £1,000 to £20,000.
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Where can I have my circa garment altered?
We offer some alterations in house. Should you need alterations we cannot provide, we can refer you to one of our tried and trusted tailors.
Does Circa have an after-care service?
We will advise you on the best way to clean and preserve your vintage purchases and can also recommend trusted local dry cleaners.
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Our address is Circa Vintage, 87A Lansdowne Way London SW8 2PB
Upon arrival, buzz the 87A button on the gate or call us 020 7736 5038 to let you in.
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We offer free, secure, off-street parking but it is a tight squeeze – so do let us know in advance if you will be needing this and we can make sure that there is space available.
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Underground:
Stockwell (7 min walk) - Northern and Victoria Lines
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What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.