Paisley: A Sophisticated Elegance Or An Age-old Pattern?

1
Paisley A Sophisticated Elegance Or An Age-old
Pattern?
2
Oscar Wilde, a famous author who favoured wearing
paisley ties, waistcoats, and scarves, once
said "One should either be a work of art, or
wear a piece of art." But have you ever wondered
as to why is this pattern recognised as
"paisley" in the English-speaking world if it is
called "cachemir" in Spanish or "cachemire" in
French? Origin- This distinctive motif termed
Paisley has travelled a fascinating path from
its ancient Indian and Persian roots, with its
cryptic meanings and enigmatic symbolism. The
paisley design has been seen on the scarves of
cowboys and motorcyclists as it travelled the
Silk Route from the East to the West. It was
popularised by the Beatles and adopted by 19th-
century bohemians, ushering in the hippie era and
serving as a symbol of the dawn of rock 'n'
roll. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the East
India Company imported textiles via the silk
trade, and following the arrival of lavish shawls
from Kashmir, the pattern swept the continent.
The shawls were rapidly replicated across
Europe, primarily in Paisley, Scotland.
Consequently, it is recognised as such in the
English-speaking world. The Shape- The original
Persian teardrop symbol resembles a floral
bouquet and a cypress tree more than anything
else. The seed design is also associated with
Hinduism and is thought to signify fertility. It
also has an intriguing affinity to the popular
yin-yang symbol. It is still an immensely
popular theme today in Iran and other South and
Central Asian nations, where it is thought to
have originated. Paisley has survived because of
the depth of symbolism and the rebellious vibe
that surrounds it. The pattern's capacity to
combine both conformity and disobedience, a deep
sense of history with astonishing
3
flexibility, and an openness to unending and
unexpected revitalisation and reinterpretation
may be the ultimate key to its longevity. The
teardrop form is said to have originated from the
fusion of floral themes with a cypress treethe
Zoroastrian emblem of eternityand was
previously known as "buta" or "boteh," meaning
"flower bud" or "spray of leaves." The Ultimate
Comeback- Givenchy's Resort 2013 Collection
included dresses and short coats with paisley
designs, which are now seeing a rebirth in the
pattern. The designers departed from their
concept of a nomadic traveller's and gypsy
woman's wardrobe and included pieces in silk red
and blue paisley prints combined with graphic
black and white geometric motifs evocative of
the formal Bauhaus pictures. Dresses, parallel
pants, button-down shirts, blouses, and jackets
with long sleeves that were slit to the
shoulders giving the outfits a cape-like
appearance. This combination was also used on
accessories like giant totes with the paisley
pattern in a considerable amount. In 1968, The
Beatles started going to India on a regular
basis, embracing its philosophy, music, and
mainly, paisley clothing. The paisley pattern
was frequently linked to disobedience it was a
declaration of non- conformity and a welcome
change from the previous sombre fashion trends.
It was the ideal print for the hippies'
androgynous, hedonistic lifestyle.