nd'
Indie spirit
Made in the Shade is a 1950s boutique-cum-young designer showcase at The Lighthouse. Claire Sawers checks it out
he wears a frilly apron and teases her
hair into a rock-hard bee—hive. She
spends her days baking fresh cupcakes and her nights stitching patchwork quilts. According to Carrie Maclennan. she‘s ‘the American l95()s housewife mother you never had’, and the inspiration behind the first Made in the Shade event at The Lighthouse.
The new ‘indie‘ market fair is a chance for over 40 stallholders to show off their wares — including vintage clothing. handmade accessories and retro knick-knacks. ()nce shoppers have been lured in from Buchanan Street by high-heeled ladies in chintz dishing out chocolate truffles. they‘ll be served up a throwback soundtrack of Americana. rockabilly and wartime Big Bands while they shop. And for bored children who dread the weekly drag round the shops. there’s cupcake decorating. and a
will be on saI‘ Made in the Shade
The work of young designers from all i
‘A LOT OF FOLK LIKE THE IDEA OF GETTING AWAY FROM THE MAINSTREAM'
Melanie 28, shop assistant at the Red Door Gallery, Edinburgh
Today I’m just fairly plainly dressed for work. I do get a bit more dressed up sometimes, I promise. I don’t really have a style as such - I just put on whatever comes that day, I guess. I cut my halr myself, though.
I’m wearing £6 shoes, and I can’t recall where they’re from. The jeans are an Australian brand, by these designers called Sass and Bide. They’re a really cool brand, I like them. This is just a Topshop shirt, and I threw a Gap cardi on top.
10 THE LIST 22 May—5 Jun 2008
I
You wouldn’t believe it
today but I’m quite partial to charity shopping. My new favourite place is that strip along Stockbridge, there’s loads of cool stuff in there. Apart from that, I’d say Topshop for jeans and essentials and stuff, and the Red Door Gallery for accessories, obviously.
I love the stuff at Totty Rocks next door, but I just don’t have the cash to afford it.
chance to eat their own work aftenvards.
The retro theme is more than just an excuse to eat lots of home-baked treats though; it's part of the whole friendly. stop-and—chat ethos behind the event. which showcases young designers from all over Scotland. Expect acrylic jewellery from Aberdeen‘s Aubeebop. knitted handbags from Dundee's Syrah Jay and home-spun stationery and totes from Glasgow‘s Hannah Zakari. ‘Instead of heading straight to Buchanan Galleries. we‘re hoping people might try and find that pair of cute knickers or a special dress in here.’ says Maclennan. of the Glasgow (‘raft Mafia. who‘s organising the fair with The Lighthouse's (‘reative Iintrepreneurs Club. As well as giving local designers a place to display their work. from felt corsages and ethically made soaps to digitally printed cushions. it encourages shoppers to step away from the chain store.
By getting independent designers together. the Glasgow (‘raft Malia is helping highlight the growing love Scottish consumers have for all things grassroots and I)IY. It‘s a trend that‘s been growing for the past few years. Miso Iiunky have been organising arts and crafts fairs in Glasgow for two years now. while in Iidinburgh. crafty shoppers have been going straight to the source at Out of the Blues Arts Market at the Drill Hall. or Tracer Trail‘s recent Village Fete.
So could this mean the death of fast fashion? Iiarlier this month. ()xfam got involved in the craze for ‘up-cycling‘ by opening a new Westbourne Road boutique with second-hand clothes given a couture nip and tuck by students from the London (‘ollege of Fashion. and a clutch of designers from Agnes B. Giles Deacon and Jonathan Saunders all recently created one- off garments and accessories from recycled goods. ‘A lot of folk like the idea that they're getting away from the mainstream. and buying unique designs and vintage treasures. rather than off-the-peg stul'f.‘ says Maclennan. ‘I’lus you’re supporting local designers.’
Made In The Shade market, Sat 24 May, 10.30am-5pm, The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, free entry. www.9lasgowcraftmafia.com; www. myspace.com/wearemadeintheshade