Sunday 13 February 2022

Rise and Fall of the Paisley Shawl

 Our nest meeting is on Zoom on 24 February at 7.30 pm. The speaker will be Lucy McConnell who has provided the following information:

Abstract 

The Paisley shawl was one of the most recognisable accessories in western fashion through the nineteenth century. Originally produced in Kashmir India, the pine pattern shawl, as it was then known in the west, was imitated by several centres in Europe in the late eighteenth century before its arrival on Paisley’s looms in 1805. In this presentation, Lucy will explore the social, cultural, political, economic, and technological changes which proved to alter what would become known as the Paisley shawl through the nineteenth century. From the beginning of shawl production in the town, Paisley was hugely important in the shawl trade. Through interactive examination of surviving examples of shawls made in Paisley, the role of Paisley’s weavers in the global fashion phenomenon that was the Paisley shawl will be brought to the fore.

 Biography 

Lucy, a Dress and Textile Historian with specialisms in textiles produced in Paisley, Scotland in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the British government's Utility Clothing Scheme during the Second World War, is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Huddersfield, England. Within research, Lucy seeks to unearth the hidden histories of individuals and groups involved in the manufacture and sale of garments and textiles, through exploring the social, cultural, political, economic, and technological histories within the written record and imbued in material cultures of extant objects. Lucy’s research interests, ranging from the eighteenth century to the present day, have enabled them to work on several projects from exhibitions and archiving, to written publications, conference presentations and guest lecturing, and advising on historical costume for television. 

Social Media 

Instagram @diary_of_a_dress_historian 

Twitter @Diary_DressHist 

TikTok @diaryof_a_dresshistorian

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