Fashion writer with PhD in Prince to explore stories and style at Paisley Book Festival

Fashion writer with PhD in Prince to explore stories and style at Paisley Book Festival

Cultural historian Dr Casci Ritchie hails ‘incredible buzz’ that showpiece event brings as she encourages visitors to explore town

A fashion writer who’s a world-leading expert in pop legend Prince promises to help shape some stylish stories at this year’s Paisley Book Festival.

Casci Ritchie’s fascination with the look, life and work of the late Purple Rain and Kiss singer has taken her from her home in Paisley to the superstar’s Paisley Park estate in Minnesota, USA.

As well as being a fashion and cultural historian and lecturer – specialising in fashion in film and music, consumption, identities and fandom – Casci is the author of On His Royal Badness: The Life and Legacy of Prince’s Fashion.

Recently awarded a doctorate for her thesis on the dress of Prince, Casci is also a senior research assistant at Northumbria University in Newcastle, exploring fashioning ageing identities.

And she will bring all of those experiences, influences and more to Feeling Fashion: A Writing Workshop on Clothes at Paisley Central Library on Saturday April 26.

It is a session which will encourage participants not just to think about how they dress, but how they might write about it too.

Casci said: “I’m looking forward to hosting my workshop exploring our everyday relationships with clothing at this year’s Paisley Book Festival. The workshop is open to everyone and includes drawing exercises to ‘meet’ our garments in new ways on paper

“I hope it encourages people to think more about what they wear and how this can weave into their writing practice.”

Centred on the theme of The Lives We Live, Paisley Book Festival takes place from April 25 to 27 and is set to attract audiences from across Scotland to the town.

Delving into subjects as broad as fashion and music to crime and cookery, authors including Trainspotting creator Irvine Welsh, Glasgwegian writer Chris McQueer and restaurant owner Julie Lin will use their writing to discuss competing ideas about life in today’s complicated world, tackling issues of the day and celebrating the good things that bring joy.

Casci believes the festival, organised by OneRen, will be a superb showcase for Renfrewshire.

She added: “There’s always a buzz around Paisley when the festival is on – and this year’s lineup looks incredible.

“I would encourage everyone to spend some time exploring the town and supporting all the amazing local small businesses in between the events. You’ll make new friends and get a good slice of cake!”

Paisley holds a special place in the world of fashion, not least through the Paisley Pattern, which saw the town’s once-thriving mills send textiles all over the world.

Jess Orr, Associate Programmer at Paisley Book Festival, said: “Clothes tell stories and yet, so often, we become out of touch with the textiles, colours and silhouettes that shape us. 

“Feeling Fashion will allow people to meet, engage and explore our dress. Participants will be invited to bring in (or wear) garments to engage with throughout the session. 

“Short writing exercises will be paired alongside ‘slow looking’ drawing sessions where we ‘meet’ garments. People will interact with the everyday practice of getting dressed and respond through experimental writing that can be used and developed in personal writing projects including, memoirs and character development.

“Casci will host a great event.”

Admission to Feeling Fashion: A Writing Workshop on Clothes is on a “pay what you can” basis. It takes place between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday April 26.

Full details about the Paisley Book Festival line-up – including booking information – are available at www.paisleybookfestival.com.