Stealth wealth may have usurped cottage core, but that hasn’t put the kibosh on Batsheva Hay and Laura Ashley’s collaborations.
The New York-based designer and the British fashion and homewares brand have linked up again to release their fifth capsule since 2021 — and third this year.
“I love a fall drop because I can really dig into the richer colors,” said Hay, whose decision to launch her own line came after attempting to remake a vintage Laura Ashley dress.
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The Victorian frills and romantic prints with which Laura Ashley is synonymous have majorly influenced Hay, who explained her continued partnership with the brand is “politely dissenting to the idea of minimalism.”
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Pulling from the archive, Hay selected florals “with a hand-painted feel” like Tea Rose, Sutterton and Sherwood Forest, inserting blocks of black velvet for contrast. It is a feature of the Ruthin dress, a carryover design with puff sleeves, which remains her personal favorite. Hay reintroduced it in mini-length, alongside new pieces like the prairie-collar Swansea blouse and the tiered Carwyn dress.
Following up on previous campaigns, which have captured the designer in the midst of such oddball acts as vacuuming sand from a beach, Hay set this one on an apple orchard and in her mother-in-law’s swimming pool. The images shot by her husband Alexei have a “spooky and mysterious” vibe, which is fitting given Halloween is just around the corner.
“I love Halloween,” the Orthodox Jewish designer added, “and I can definitely imagine people wearing these dresses as costumes.”
The 15 styles being offered will be available on both brands’ e-commerce sites, as well as at Laura Ashley stores across the U.K. beginning Monday. Sizes range from 0 to 20, and prices range from $150 to $350.