Paisley mon amour

We have seen it on many occasions and in countless versions, we know what shape it has, but few know the origin of this pattern brought from ancient Persia that has been installed in our culture over the centuries.

 

 

I have always been fascinated by the beauty and history behind this peculiar pattern and I liked it even more when I first traveled to India, specifically to the disputed Kashmir area located in the northwest of the country between China and Pakistan. It is therefore not surprising that the paisley has been the inspiration for a large part of my work. collections.This drop-shaped ornamental design has its origin in ancient Persia, where it was called botehbush. Various Persian dynasties used this pattern in their costumes, furniture, shawls, jewelry and carpets and, little by little, it was introduced and commercialized in India.

 

 

The arrival of the paisley in Europe dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries during the British rule in the country. The soldiers of the well-known East India Company popularized this ornamental figure by importing scarves and stoles that became the most prized souvenir and a real must-have of 19th century European fashion. Its greatest advocate was none other than Josephine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.

 

 

Their prices for their craftsmanship and beauty were exorbitant. That is why they began to be imitated in Europe. The Anglo-Saxon term paisley (paisley in English) honors the small Scottish town of Paisley, which became a leader in the manufacture and production of shawls with this pattern thanks to the technology used in their looms. These allowed printing large quantities and using five colors at the same time. By 1860 designs with up to 15 colors were being produced, although this was only a quarter of the wonderful multicolored designs that were imported from Kashmir.

 

Its mystical origin and sacred shape, also considered as a symbol of fertility or eternal life made it popular in the 60's and the hippy revolution and psychedelia. We all remember John Lennon's Rolls Royce with paisley pattern or the collection of Fender Telecaster electric guitars with the pattern in pink tones.

 

 

 

I love being able to share with you my passion for the stories behind each of my products. Do you know any other curiosity about paisley?

A hug,