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Writer's pictureJoanna

Patterns in Fashion: ii. Paisley

  • Paisley is a decorative pattern, either printed or embroidered on fabric, featuring teardrop and swirling designs that go in various directions. Its likely origins are from Persia. Typically adorned with silver and gold thread, it continues to be a popular element in traditional Iranian wedding garments.


Paisley Tie - Paisley Print in Fashion

  • Paisley fabric is commonly utilized in the production of ties, shirts, trousers, dresses, coats, bandanas, and scarves made from silk, cotton, and wool.

  • The name "paisley" originates from the town of Paisley in the Lowlands of Scotland, which emerged as a prominent manufacturer of paisley shawls and fabrics during the eighteenth century.

  • Within the realm of fashion, paisley gained popularity as an element of the Bohemian style prevalent in late-1960s London, characterised by the integration of Middle Eastern patterns and designs.

  • Yves Saint Laurent incorporated paisley into his opulent interpretation of the Russian peasant aesthetic during the late 1970s.

  • The renowned Italian fashion house Etro extensively features paisley in silk, while Liberty of London also employs paisley in cotton lawn and cotton poplin for both clothing and interior décor, establishing paisley as a distinctive element of their design ethos.



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