Talk by Odile Hughson
The history of the Cashmere shawl and the ‘Paisley’ pattern, with a French twist to the tale.

This popular motif has gone round the world but how did it get the name ‘Paisley pattern’? We will
follow this ancient design through the ages and across continents, culminating in the ladies’ passion
for shawls, especially at the time of Napoléon's first wife Joséphine, until it lost its popularity by the
end of the XIXth century. The pattern is still much admired and used in Provence today as well as
across the world.

A native of Provence, Odile came to Britain as part of her degree in English and remained ever
since. She taught French at the Yehudi Menuhin Music School in Surrey and was until recently a
volunteer guide at the National Museum of Scotland. She guides at St Mary's Song School and at
the Dovecot studio. She is interested in history, art and textiles and gives talks in English and
French for cancer charities.