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ANOTHER great touch of Britain has arrived in Bahrain with the opening of the kingdom's first Laura Ashley store.
British Ambassador to Bahrain Jamie Bowden opened the outlet in the kingdom at a ceremony at the Seef Mall extension.
The popular UK-based fashion and lifestyle brand, with a heritage dating back more than 50 years, offers distinctive clothing and home products.
Laura Ashley's foray into Bahrain follows a re-entry of the brand into the region two years ago through a master franchise arrangement with the Dubai-based regional business conglomerate, Al Aqili Group.
Abhay Nadkarni, Al Aqili Retail's executive director of marketing and commercial, said: "Laura Ashley is a quintessential British brand and ever since its entry into the region with its outlets in Dubai, the label has been able to attract a large client base in both the apparel and home dŽcor categories.
"We have chosen Bahrain as the first step in the expansion of the brand outside the UAE because of the kingdom's reputation for openness - not just commercially, but also in the trial of new brands by local consumers."
Mr Bowden, in the presence of various local dignitaries and senior management of the Al Aqili Group, including Steve Lee, executive director - operations of the retail division, cut a ribbon to officially open the store for business.
Laura Ashley is known worldwide for its innovation in designs, patterns, fabrics and textures and its collection in Seef Mall from its Autumn-Winter 2010 portfolio features an elegant fashion range as well as a wide selection of furniture, home decorating products and furnishings.
Management believes the collection's nine eclectic themes and its combinations will appeal both to the local as well as expat community.
Lounge, dining, kitchen, adult bedroom and children's bedroom items are displayed in room settings. They include modern, opulent 'Baroque' room styling, a sophisticated, timeless 'Silk Road' theme, a graceful fusion of English country house and soft chinoisery patterns of 'Elegance' and the charming innocence of the 'Ballerina' girl's bedroom.
Mr Lee added: "The Laura Ashley Home & Fashion ranges have been well received by consumers in the region, who appreciate the unique and individual home styling opportunities afforded by the home range and the timeless femininity of the fashion offer. We are excited at the prospect of offering both ranges in our first store in Bahrain."
The story of the brand starts from Laura Ashley, born in 1925 in humble beginnings in Wales and to her success in becoming a hugely influential designer of clothes and fabrics.
Laura Ashley and Bernard Ashley, her husband, literally conceived the brand at a kitchen table in their home in Pimlico.
The first batch was headscarves, table mats and napkins and the first Laura Ashley factory was opened in an old coaching house in Kent.
Over the years, the Laura Ashley has grown into a lifestyle brand known and respected throughout the world.
Designers say Laura Ashley collections are kept contemporary by refreshing the colour pallet and adding new twists to traditional styles.
