As I was moving fabrics around the store today, I was struck by the large number of paisley patterns we have. I admit it. I love paisley. It is neither feminine nor masculine and it holds a timeless appeal.
The history of paisley is really quite interesting – although it might resemble a twisted and ornate teardrop, an embellished kidney, a giant decorative comma, or to me, an amoeba on steroids, it is really an ancient Persian Zoroastrian symbol combining a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree symbolizing life and eternity. The Persian word for paisley is “boteh” and the pattern has been used for over 500 years to decorate not only royal garments, but textiles used by the general population as well.
During the first half of the 17th century, the East India Company imported paisley from India and a new East meets West fashion statement was born. During the 19th century, British soldiers returning from the Indian colonies brought the pattern home with them in the form of wool cashmere shawls and in the Scottish town of Paisley, the patterns were reproduced on hand and jacquard looms and the modern name of “paisley” was born.
Fast forward to the 1960’s…. Paisley took on an almost a rebellious symbolism as it became a popular design during the Summer of Love in 1967. Even the Beatles got into the act when John Lennon painted a Rolls Royce with the Paisley pattern. At one time, Fender Guitars made a Pink Paisley Telecaster guitar by attaching paisley wallpaper onto the guitar bodies for the fashion forward rock ‘n roll crowd.
Now, with its hint of Asian timelessness, paisley patterned textiles remain popular as ever, used in both traditional and contemporary settings. This is one fashion trend made to last.
The history of paisley is really quite interesting – although it might resemble a twisted and ornate teardrop, an embellished kidney, a giant decorative comma, or to me, an amoeba on steroids, it is really an ancient Persian Zoroastrian symbol combining a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree symbolizing life and eternity. The Persian word for paisley is “boteh” and the pattern has been used for over 500 years to decorate not only royal garments, but textiles used by the general population as well.
During the first half of the 17th century, the East India Company imported paisley from India and a new East meets West fashion statement was born. During the 19th century, British soldiers returning from the Indian colonies brought the pattern home with them in the form of wool cashmere shawls and in the Scottish town of Paisley, the patterns were reproduced on hand and jacquard looms and the modern name of “paisley” was born.
Fast forward to the 1960’s…. Paisley took on an almost a rebellious symbolism as it became a popular design during the Summer of Love in 1967. Even the Beatles got into the act when John Lennon painted a Rolls Royce with the Paisley pattern. At one time, Fender Guitars made a Pink Paisley Telecaster guitar by attaching paisley wallpaper onto the guitar bodies for the fashion forward rock ‘n roll crowd.
Now, with its hint of Asian timelessness, paisley patterned textiles remain popular as ever, used in both traditional and contemporary settings. This is one fashion trend made to last.
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