Ashley Wilde Group __________________________________________________________________________________________
“ The business has gone from strength to strength over the past 70 years , with various high-profile brands and celebrities such as Kylie Minogue , Rita Ora , Zandra Rhodes , Kirsty Allsopp , and many others working with us to produce branded soft furnishings for them . Today , we are a multi-million-pound company , working with brands such as Laura Ashley , Cath Kidston , Orla Kiely , Sara Miller , Holly Willoughby , and retailers such as John Lewis , Marks & Spencer , Next , Dunelm , and many more .
“ The fabric section of the business has expanded considerably since we began . We still design and manufacture Ashley Wilde fabrics , always aiming to take a more modern , contemporary , but adaptive approach to new collections . KAI is our more high-end luxurious fabric brand , which also remains a strong competitor in the market . This year we ’ ve launched William Morris At Home ( WMAH ) fabrics , partnering with the William Morris Gallery . This is a fantastic addition to our fabric portfolio , as we ’ ve worked closely with the William Morris archives in order to bring a more contemporary style to his work .”
Robust relationships
Strong relationships with some of the UK ’ s leading lifestyle brands ensures Ashley Wilde Group ’ s success in an evercompetitive market . “ We don ’ t like to compare ourselves to competitors . That said , we have many key factors that make us unique ,” Simon explains .
“ We maintain a comprehensive list of manufacturers and suppliers who thoroughly understand our operations and brand requirements . On numerous occasions , we
We also pride ourselves on having strong relationships with all our partners , suppliers , and stakeholders
have received urgent orders for particular products , and we have consistently made every effort to ensure that the customer receives exactly what they have requested . This can only be done if you have strong working partnerships .
“ We pride ourselves on our robust relationships , built on effective communication and understanding . Likewise , the various teams across the business who liaise with our stakeholders , partners and suppliers on a daily basis have been instrumental in growing and maintaining these relationships . We promise to go above and beyond for our customers , making sure everyone is satisfied with what they ’ ve ordered . This has always been our motto ,” he continues .
Design driven
Strategic brand partnerships are vital to maintaining Ashley Wilde Group ’ s success , ensuring the company stays at the cutting edge of soft furnishing and fabric design . “ There are three key elements that we review when considering a new brand for either fabric or ready-made products . First , we explore the story behind the brand , then we look at its unique selling points , and , finally , together with the customer , we discuss their vision . Before we produce anything , it ’ s important that we know where it fits in the textile and soft furnishings industry . It needs to have a clear vision , and something new to offer ,” reveals Simon .
Design is at the heart of everything Ashley Wilde Group does , as Simon asserts : “ We have a group of incredibly talented designers , who are experts in soft furnishings and textiles . They visit various shows across Europe to gather inspiration for future designs . The designers also have
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