Rachel Ashwell (born Rachel Greenfield on 30 October 1959, in Cambridge, England) is an author, designer and entrepreneur who was raised in London.
Early life While in her teens, Ashwell, whose mother restored antique dolls and teddy bears and father was a secondhand rare books dealer, began selling antiques at London outdoor markets. She dropped out of school at the age of 16.New York Times interview, 25 April 2010 She told The Sunday Times in 2004, "Following my father around the markets taught me how to make quick decisions about what was or was not worth buying."The Sunday Times, "Start-Up: How I Made It: Rachel Ashwell, founder of Shabby Chic," 29 February 2004
Career Ashwell began a career in her native England as a wardrobe and prop stylist doing TV commercials and photo shoots. Ashwell moved to the United States in the early 1980s, opening her first store in Santa Monica in 1989.The Sunday Times The name Rachel Ashwell, according to Huffington Post, has been synonymous with shabby chic for 20 years.Interview: Rachel Ashwell, Founder of Shabby Chic, Huffington Post, August, 2010.
Ashwell started her home furnishings company and opened her first store in Santa Monica in 1989. Since she grew up going to flea markets, it was natural for her to use them as a source. She brought in her flea market finds to her shop for her customers and soon couldn't keep them in stock.When Success Isn't Enough, Entrepreneur, 2007
From 1999 to 2003, Ashwell hosted a TV show, titled "Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic," on E! and the Style Network.TVGuide, "Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic" showLocateTV listing The New York Times, on the Encyclopædia Britannica, in its annual trend roundup in 1992, recognised Ashwell's company and her signature product, the slipcover, writing, "not the trim, well-fitting kind, but sloppy, wrinkled ones dubbed 'Shabby Chic' by a California company of the same name."Making Shabby Chic Again, New York Times, 14 October 2009
In 2004, Ashwell purchased a home in Malibu Colony. Oprah featured Ashwell on her website with a tour of Ashwell's beach house."Inside the Homes of Top Designers: Rachel Ashwell's Beach House," 14 April 2004 During an appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 1 January 2006, Oprah was quoted as saying, "Rachel Ashwell single-handedly turned shabby into chic and it caught on like wildfire!" In April 2010, Ashwell was one of 10 interior designers showcased on Oprah.com."Tips from 10 Interior Designers" When Ashwell's home sold in July 2010 for $3.55 million, the Los Angeles Times covered the sale, describing Ashwell as "the creator of the Shabby Chic brand.""Shabby Chic sells in Malibu," Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2010.
As reported in The New York Times early in 2009, after 20 years in business, Ashwell's company filed bankruptcy,Making Shabby Chic, Again, New York Times, 14 October 2009 which caused her to re-evaluate. The site Shelterpop.com asked, "Can Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Survive in Modern Times?""Can Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Survive in Modern Times?" 11 November 2009 Ashwell, the article said, weathered the bankruptcy of her company "and embarked on a redux." That "redux" came in the form of an investor partner, which teamed with Rachel Ashwell to give the brand new life. The re-invented Shabby Chic Brands developed a new business model that expanded the line to include moderately-priced collections to be sold nationwide.www.shabbychic.com Rachel has been partnering with Target since 2006 with Simply Shabby Chic, a Target exclusive brand. By mid-2011, Shabby Chic Brands expanded further into the United Kingdom, pairing the House of Fraser to offer the "Shabby Chic at House of Fraser" product line.Shabby Chic at the House of Fraser Press ReleaseShabby Chic at the House of Fraser She currently has three stores—New York, Los Angeles and London.
Ashwell keeps a blogRachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Blog where she updates viewers on her inspiration and travels. Also, Rachel Ashwell bedding is available at national retail chains and outlets.Simply Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell for Target Corp. In 2011, Ashwell opened The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, a bed and breakfast in Round Top, Texas.The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell
Books Shabby Chic (1996) () Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Treasure Hunting and Decorating Guide (1998) () The Shabby Chic Home (2000) () The Shabby Chic Gift of Giving (2001) () Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things (2004) () Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Interiors (2009) () Shabby Chic Inspirations and Beautiful Spaces (2011) () Rachel Ashwell Couture Prairie: And Flea Market Treasures (2013)
References
External links
TV Guide Listings