Fashion designer appeals for Paisley print items to put in museum display
A FASHION designer is leading an appeal for members of the public to share Paisley-patterned items they have at home – from clothing to cookware – to mark the 150th anniversary of Paisley Museum.
Submissions incorporating the famous pattern will be considered for a new display being created as part of the museum’s £42 million redevelopment.
They will go on show next to a couture outfit by Paisley-born fashion designer Pam Hogg, who last year created the “Paisley poodle” print inspired by the museum’s collection of objects featuring the classic teardrop motif. These range from 19th-century Paisley shawls to everyday items including a frying pan and a roll of toilet paper.
Ms Hogg said: “The Paisley pattern has had a lasting impact on the world and has been endlessly reinterpreted and reinvented.
“There are examples of Paisley pattern all around us and I’d like to encourage the public to share their items and the stories of how they were acquired, used, loved and passed down.
“The most interesting will be considered for display alongside a piece from my 2020 couture show, where I created the Paisley poodle print incorporating my lifelong love of the iconic Paisley design.
“As a child I was fascinated with the museum’s collection and can’t wait for its expansion.”
Paisley’s Free Public Library and Museum opened on April 11, 1871, holding its first exhibition of Paisley shawls in 1905 in recognition of the impact that textiles had had on the town’s fortunes.
Shawls featuring the teardrop motif began to arrive in Europe in the 18th century and by the 1800s were extremely fashionable.
Paisley manufacturers capitalised on this trend, becoming market leaders in mass-produced “imitation Indian shawls” which became known as “Paisleys” due to their association with the town.
The paisley print is now globally renowned and continues to be celebrated by the fashion industry, including in the latest collection from streetwear label Vans, which has teamed up with the fabric artisans at Liberty of
London to create a collection featuring the iconic pattern.
Kirsty Devine, Paisley Museum project director, said: “The iconic teardrop motif has long been associated with Paisley’s history and heritage and is an integral part of the museum’s collection.
“We will tell the story of this design, so synonymous with the town, from its Kashmir origins all the way through to its modern-day use by major fashion labels.
“The pattern has been seen on different types of objects globally throughout history. What better way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Paisley Museum than paying homage to the town’s most famous export?
“We’re very excited to see what hidden gems the public are able to uncover and share with us through the #ShowUsYourPaisley callout.”
Submissions can be emailed directly to Paisley Museum or shared on social media, with a deadline for submissions of May 30.
The Paisley pattern project comes during a time of great transformation for the Paisley Museum, which is being turned into a “world-class” visitor attraction.
The four buildings which make up Paisley Museum, including the country’s first public observatory, are being redesigned and extended in a £42 million project.
Last year, the project received a £3.8m funding boost from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The redeveloped museum will feature learning zones, improved social spaces, a cafe, shop and cloakroom facilities, along with a new entrance surrounded by a courtyard and gardens.
It is expected to draw 125,000 visitors a year – almost four times current numbers – when it reopens in 2022.