Paisley
A pattern originating in Asia, often used for shawls from the 19th century onwards. Like many fashion terms, it became known by the name of a city: in this case Paisley, a Scottish town famous for the production of a type of combed wool perfect for square shawls or dressing gowns, decorated with purple and brown patterns copied from precious Indian cashmere shawls from the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Paisleys were adopted straightaway by the most elegant women, starting with Josephine Beauharnais who was given a splendid one by Napoleon. The paisley or cashmere pattern has never really been shelved. Every so often it reappears on the fashion scene: like in the 1980s when it had yet another revival as the emblem of the Italian fashion house Etro, appearing on shawls, dresses, skirts, necklaces, bags, and even furnishings.