And what makes it a classic?
Why did I pick paisley for my logo? I’ve always loved it but it goes beyond that. I like how universal and versatile it is.
It can be masculine:
Or feminine:
We sleep in it and on it:
We wrap it around us:
It’s ancient:
It’s retro:
It can cover your walls, your windows and your chairs, whether your taste is modern, traditional or somewhere in between:
Paisley is variously considered teardrop, comma or kidney-shaped; different sources say it’s based on plants (I see a leaf personally), seed pods (a symbol of fertility), one half of a yin-yang symbol, or a cypress tree. Based on an ancient motif called boteh or buta originating in Persia and India, the British East India Company is credited with bringing shawls with the pattern to the west in the 18th century where they became all the rage. Textile factories in the Scottish town of Paisley created an inexpensive way to print the design (as opposed to the more expensive method of weaving it) and the motif became known for the town that made it popular.
Although paisley never went away, it had another big surge in popularity when it became connected with the hippy and rock and roll movements of the 60’s and 70’s. Since then it’s been a constant in fashion and interiors. Its popularity may wax and wane but it never goes out of style. Now that’s the definition of a classic.
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