Swansea College of Art students partner with Laura Ashley in centenary year

Students from the Surface Pattern and Textiles course at Swansea College of Art, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), are embarking on an exciting new collaboration with iconic British brand Laura Ashley, launched in celebration of what would have been the designer’s 100th birthday.

The project began with a surprise birthday tea party, where students were told they would be working on a live design brief for the brand, giving them the chance to honour Laura Ashley’s rich heritage while bringing fresh ideas for the future. The collaboration will form part of the brand’s year-long centenary celebrations, which include special events, archive explorations, and a new flagship store launch.

As part of the project, students recently travelled to London to explore the Laura Ashley archives - a treasure trove of more than 10,000 pieces - and in February 2026, the Laura Ashley team will visit Swansea to see how the students’ ideas have developed.

The partnership also shines a spotlight on the success of Swansea College of Art graduate Anna Eynon, who won the New Designers prize last year. Her The Water’s Edge collection, which includes a bespoke, large-scale mural features in Laura Ashley’s new flagship store at Lakeside, Thurrock, which opened on 26 September.

This isn’t the first time Surface Pattern and Textiles students have taken part in industry collaborations that bridge the classroom and the professional world. Over the past few years they’ve designed for Anglepoise, Monki, and H&M, while also tackling luxury interiors with Rolls Royce. These experiences give students invaluable real-world practice, help them build industry networks, and strengthen their creative portfolios - all of which boost their confidence and employability.

The announcement of the live Laura Ashley brief was met with great excitement from students. Third-year Surface Pattern and Textiles student Samantha McGrath said:

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with such an iconic brand and to celebrate such an inspirational woman. The timelessness of Laura Ashley is so important to the brand, that my hope is to be able to capture that essence in my work. I’m especially enthusiastic about this collaboration knowing the success our course has had with Laura Ashley in the past.”

Programme Manager for Surface Pattern and Textiles, Georgia McKie, added:

“To work with a world-renowned brand like Laura Ashley, with privileged access to their design studios and their archive, sets this apart from an average live brief. We’ve built a great relationship with the brand’s design team over the past couple of years, with our students receiving awards and commendations for their work, and are grateful for yet another opportunity to work with them.

Our programme has always encouraged an entrepreneurial spirit and has long been female-strong. Laura Ashley herself, who began at her kitchen table inspired by Welsh quilts, grew her business into a household name and global brand. As a 100-year-old girl boss and design icon, she continues to inspire our students just as powerfully as ever.” 

Poppy Marshall-Lawton, Vice President at Laura Ashley, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to partner with Swansea College of Art on this exciting project. Honouring Laura’s legacy in her centenary year means looking forward and recognising that she would undoubtedly be championing and nurturing new design talent today. This partnership is a powerful extension of our commitment to emerging designers, following our sponsorship of New Designers and the incredible success of Swansea College of Art graduate, Anna Eynon’s ‘The Water’s Edge’ collection, and it’s a wonderful way to connect back to our Welsh roots, where Laura first found her inspiration.”

This project promises to be another unforgettable opportunity, combining history, heritage, and innovation, and offering the next generation of designers a chance to leave their mark on a legendary brand.

Find out more about Surface Pattern Design courses or book a place at a Swansea Open Day. 

Further Information

Mared Anthony

Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations   
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: +447482256996