16
Top Review
A Little Warning
Laura Ashley, a name with a great past. Laura Ashley (born 1925 in Wales, died 1985) and her husband Bernard founded and ran the company together, which significantly shaped British interior design tastes. The term "Laura Ashley style" is probably known to everyone.
They started with self-printed dish towels, and a focus was always on printed fabrics inspired by historical designs and botany; later, fashion collections were added, and actually almost everything needed for a complete interior look. This led to the establishment of their own factories - as was common at the time, in their homeland - with many employees and stores worldwide. Their four children were also involved in the business. At some point in this success story, their own fragrances could not be missing. A brand famous for its floral patterns must, of course, create floral scents.
I admit, I was very fond of the brand since the 80s; the old No. 1 was my favorite scent for years (though as Eau de Toilette, not in the Eau de Parfum version). This wonderfully lush floral bouquet, spreading delicate summer freshness while also being warm, was special. No. 1 is the only scent I know of on this planet that I like despite the tuberose; I don't fully believe it with the tuberose either. Contrary to the fragrance pyramid on Parfumo, old brochures always list only rose and jasmine, and then either iris or lily of the valley, nothing more.
Even the less known No. 2, Emma, and later L'Eau de Laura Ashley were exceptionally beautiful scents that fit perfectly with the brand's image (I prefer not to talk about Dilys - with tuberose - and quite recently, Green Meadow is a successful scent).
Recently, I was finally able to test the new No. 1, what a disappointment; I cannot find any resemblance, try as I might. I was already aware that new versions do not aim for a 1:1 copy, but this result was very disappointing: fruity-floral-pungent and interchangeable. I don't even want to give a %-rating. It's quite strange when you keep the old name but completely change the fragrance notes. I can't say anything about marshmallows; they are not on my menu. This new version will certainly find its friends, but they won't be the ones who know the old version and are looking for a replacement. I boldly dare to claim that even Songes by Annick Goutal (despite also having different fragrance notes) has more resemblance.
If anything, the new No. 1 should have been released as an independent fragrance under a new name and with new pretty packaging, so that no comparisons would be made. However, I do like the packaging used here again, originally designed by son Nick Ashley, very much.
Unfortunately, the brand has not managed to connect with its old glorious times. The now numerically shrinking stores also reflect this: where there used to be a distinctive style with diverse sources of inspiration, they now try to be "more modern," but only come off as more interchangeable, high-street department store style made in China, nice but a shadow of its former self, very unfortunate!
I can only recommend the excellent, richly illustrated Laura Ashley biography from 2009 by Martin Wood, which can now be found on the reduced clearance tables.
They started with self-printed dish towels, and a focus was always on printed fabrics inspired by historical designs and botany; later, fashion collections were added, and actually almost everything needed for a complete interior look. This led to the establishment of their own factories - as was common at the time, in their homeland - with many employees and stores worldwide. Their four children were also involved in the business. At some point in this success story, their own fragrances could not be missing. A brand famous for its floral patterns must, of course, create floral scents.
I admit, I was very fond of the brand since the 80s; the old No. 1 was my favorite scent for years (though as Eau de Toilette, not in the Eau de Parfum version). This wonderfully lush floral bouquet, spreading delicate summer freshness while also being warm, was special. No. 1 is the only scent I know of on this planet that I like despite the tuberose; I don't fully believe it with the tuberose either. Contrary to the fragrance pyramid on Parfumo, old brochures always list only rose and jasmine, and then either iris or lily of the valley, nothing more.
Even the less known No. 2, Emma, and later L'Eau de Laura Ashley were exceptionally beautiful scents that fit perfectly with the brand's image (I prefer not to talk about Dilys - with tuberose - and quite recently, Green Meadow is a successful scent).
Recently, I was finally able to test the new No. 1, what a disappointment; I cannot find any resemblance, try as I might. I was already aware that new versions do not aim for a 1:1 copy, but this result was very disappointing: fruity-floral-pungent and interchangeable. I don't even want to give a %-rating. It's quite strange when you keep the old name but completely change the fragrance notes. I can't say anything about marshmallows; they are not on my menu. This new version will certainly find its friends, but they won't be the ones who know the old version and are looking for a replacement. I boldly dare to claim that even Songes by Annick Goutal (despite also having different fragrance notes) has more resemblance.
If anything, the new No. 1 should have been released as an independent fragrance under a new name and with new pretty packaging, so that no comparisons would be made. However, I do like the packaging used here again, originally designed by son Nick Ashley, very much.
Unfortunately, the brand has not managed to connect with its old glorious times. The now numerically shrinking stores also reflect this: where there used to be a distinctive style with diverse sources of inspiration, they now try to be "more modern," but only come off as more interchangeable, high-street department store style made in China, nice but a shadow of its former self, very unfortunate!
I can only recommend the excellent, richly illustrated Laura Ashley biography from 2009 by Martin Wood, which can now be found on the reduced clearance tables.
Translated · Show original
9 Comments
I’ll test the 2012 version when I get the chance - comments are helpful, but they can't replace my own opinion. However, when I read that there are marshmallow notes in it, it makes me feel sick.
I really loved the old No. 1. So I can skip testing the new one.