The VFG believes that informed selling and buying communities are good for the vintage-fashion industry as a whole, and all visitors to the website have access to the VFG resources. These are continually updated and constantly evolving, thanks to a dedicated volunteer staff.
Our blog features our picks of the freshest vintage items, member news and articles. We have also created a growing series of articles on some classic designers.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of vintage fashion.
The Vintage Fashion Guild™ (VFG) is an international community of people with expertise in vintage fashion. VFG members enjoy a wealth of resources, avenues for promoting their shops and specialties, and camaraderie with others who share a common interest and passion.
Paisley is a distinctive and intricate pattern originating from ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), and was initially known as the “boteh” motif. Although designs vary, it is characterised by its swirling teardrop shape, often filled with ornate designs, and is believed to symbolise eternity and life. The pattern spread to India and other parts of Asia, where it was named “buta”, and was incorporated into textiles, particularly Kashmiri shawls.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Kashmiri shawls arrived in Europe, via the silk route, and the pattern took the continent by storm. It was particularly popular in Britain, and demand soon outstripped supply. Imitations were produced locally, most notably in Wales, and Scotland – and the motif became known as ‘paisley’ due to the Scottish town of Paisley’s huge shawl production.
This beautiful east-meets-west pattern has a rich and varied past, that equals its bold and stylish design. It has adorned Persian nobility, Indian Mughals and was a favourite of Queen Victoria. The Beatles wore paisley in the 1960s; it became a big part of the psychedelic revival and swinging sixties, and continues to be celebrated for its timeless elegance and style. Check out our members’ perfectly paisley selections here and in our forums.