Surface Pattern students unveil designs created for Laura Ashley’s centenary year
University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Swansea College of Art hosted an exhibition of Surface Pattern and Textiles student work developed in response to a live industry brief from the iconic British brand, Laura Ashley, in honour of their founder’s 100th birthday year.
The project forms part of Laura Ashley: 100 Years of an Icon, the brand’s year-long centenary campaign celebrating the life and legacy of the Welsh-born designer.
As part of the celebrations, the company partnered with Swansea College of Art, inviting second- and third-year Surface Pattern and Textiles students to respond to a brief inspired by its London archives, which they visited earlier in the process. The brief challenged students to create an imaginative new collection inspired by the archive, shaped by their own creative vision.
Working to a live brief set by one of Britain’s most recognisable home and lifestyle brands provided students with invaluable insight into professional design expectations – from design research and concept development through to refining artwork for presentation.
On 3 February, a team from Laura Ashley visited Swansea College of Art to review the students’ collections, giving them the opportunity to present their work directly to the brand’s design and marketing teams and receive professional feedback.
Students created a range of designs, from contemporary interpretations of classic Laura Ashley florals to bold pattern repeats, producing interior and homeware pieces such as wallpapers, tiles and fabrics, as well as womenswear concepts. Each collection drew on the brand’s heritage while introducing fresh, forward‑looking approaches to colour, pattern and storytelling.
Third-year student, Sarah Davies was named the winner, receiving a Laura Ashley hamper and an exclusive mentorship opportunity with the company. Her collection, Regency Romance, uses hand‑painted watercolours developed into digital patterns to create playful, neoclassical‑inspired designs for luxury wallcoverings, textiles and homeware.
About the experience of working on this live brief, Sarah said: “This was an invaluable experience, enabling me to apply my skills in a professional setting and gain insight into industry expectations.
“Working with a renowned brand like Laura Ashley highlighted how the course’s strong industry connections and opportunities support students in preparing for future success, building confidence and providing essential real‑world experience.”
Helen Ashmore, Head of Design for Home and Fashion at Laura Ashley said: “We were genuinely inspired by the standard of work from every student, but Sarah’s collection stood out for the way it felt both on-brand and completely of the moment. Her response captured something fresh and culturally relevant, and we’re excited to support her through a mentorship that can be as in‑depth or as light-touch as she chooses - from portfolio guidance to navigating industry expectations.
“Our connection with Swansea College of Art feels especially meaningful given Laura Ashley’s Welsh roots, and it’s been wonderful to see this relationship grow. We consider the team and students part of our extended creative family now, and we look forward to continuing this partnership - including seeing everyone at New Designers later this year.”
The growing partnership between Swansea College of Art and Laura Ashley builds on the success of Surface Pattern and Textiles graduate Anna Eynon, whose relationship with the brand began when she won The Laura Ashley Lifestyle Award at New Designers 2024, the UK’s largest graduate design showcase. Her month‑long internship with the company led to her collection, The Water’s Edge, being launched as part of the AW25 range at Laura Ashley’s new flagship store in Thurrock, Essex, opened during the centenary celebrations. Anna’s achievements have strengthened links between the brand and the Surface Pattern and Textiles course, helping create opportunities for current students to work on an industry‑focused project of their own.
Anna Eynon (MDes Surface Pattern & Texiles, 2024)
This particular collaboration is the latest in a series of industry collaborations embedded into the Surface Pattern and Textiles course. Students regularly work on live briefs that bridge the classroom and the professional world. In recent years they have designed lighting concepts for Anglepoise, print ranges for Monki, fashion illustrations for H&M, and luxury interior proposals for Rolls‑Royce. These partnerships enable students to build strong professional portfolios, develop industry networks, and gain confidence in presenting their ideas to external clients.
Georgia McKie, Programme Manager for Surface Pattern and Textiles who strongly believes in the power of collaboration said: “At Swansea College of Art, our approach is unapologetically hands-on and outward-looking. We believe the best preparation for the professional world is to experience it and help shape it.
“That’s why partnerships like the one with Laura Ashley are so important. They bring the classroom to life and expose students to the pace, professionalism, and expectations of the working world.”
Georgia McKie, Programme Manager for Surface Pattern and Textiles
With opportunities to learn from industry professionals, develop real-world design skills and connect with leading creative brands, students on the Surface Pattern and Textiles course continue to benefit from a learning environment rooted in professional practice. As the relationship with Laura Ashley evolves, it reflects the university’s wider commitment to preparing students for ambitious, future‑ready creative careers.
UWTSD is ranked 1st in Wales and among the top 5 universities in the UK for Fashion and Textiles (Guardian League Tables 2026), further highlighting the strength of its creative teaching and industry‑aligned approach.
Here’s as look at just some of the students’ final collections:
'A Picnic in the Park' by Sophie Drew
“Working on this live brief with Laura Ashley has been the highlight of my time at UWTSD. Collaborating with such an iconic global brand, one I have grown up with, was both exciting and inspiring. It has strengthened my confidence as a designer and will play a key role in shaping my future career within the industry.”
'Château's Orchard' by Lauren Stokes
“Working with Laura Ashley has been amazing experience. Not only has it been a fantastic opportunity to add to our portfolios of work but we have been able to receive critical feedback from the Laura Ashley team on the work we are creating as if we were working in their design studio. ”
'Ornamental Damask' by Maja Lane
“I feel honoured to have been part of this project. From visiting the archive to installing our final collections - this experience has developed my professional and creative skills which will be invaluable to e in future employment.”
'Stitched Together' by Samantha McGrath
“The live brief with Laura Ashley has been a great opportunity for our course to experience how the industry operates, as well as provide a valuable output that demonstrates to future employers our ability to work under a deadline while meeting the expectations of a specific brief.”
'From the Moors' by Robyn Thorpe
“I’ve really enjoyed exploring new methods and techniques whilst designing for such an established and influential brand. I feel this project has strengthened my confidence in working to industry expectations and will be highly valuable in supporting me for future in the textile design industry.”
Further Information
Mared Anthony
Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: +447482256996