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THREE OF THE BEST Eco Finds
As one of Edinburgh’s most eclectic shopping and dining areas, Broughton Street is brimming with independent boutiques, vintage and handmade clothing shops, international delis, chic bars, cosy cafés and restaurants. Over the next four issues of The List we’ll be giving an insider’s guide to the very best of Broughton Street – kicking things off with our guide to some of best eco finds. For more inspiration visit www.edinburghshopper.com
SEESAW With a trademark aversion to plastic, much- loved toy shop Seesaw specialises in all things eco friendly, including a unique line in reusable nappies. Inside it’s stacked to the rafters with colourful wooden rattles, toys and puzzles while art materials, soft toys and books are all sure to keep the wee ones jumping for joy. Seesaw also stocks slings, lotions and potions and full range of nearly new baby and maternity clothing at bargain prices. ■ www.seesawtoys.co.uk
ORGANIC PLEASURES As the UK’s first 100% organic erotic boutique entirely for women, Organic Pleasures is a treasure trove of handpicked eco-luxe sensual products which have been lovingly gathered from ethically sound stockists throughout the world. Inside the chic, boudoir-like store you can bag everything from burlesque style corsets and nipple tassles to completely organic pleasure toys, frilly knickers, boudoir accessories and erotic photography books. ■ www.organicpleasures.co.uk
JOEY D With eye-catching designs which have been modelled by Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), Edinburgh designer Joey D specialises in recycling old clothing and accessories. No two of the inventive contemporary items are the same, with men and women’s clothing created in the store’s very own workshop. Topping it all off are a fantastic collection of shoes and handbags, the latter of which often feature the distinctive bullet strap and are created using vintage leathers and tweeds. ■ www.joey-d.co.uk
18 Mar–1 Apr 2010 THE LIST 21
Hidden treasures Ever stumbled on highly wearable clothes in your mum’s attic? How about uncovering a floor full of 30-year-old stock in your dad’s warehouse? With the labels still on? Bali Rahkra recounts the moment he struck gold to Claire Sawers
M y dad said I could take a look at the old clothing he had on the fourth floor of his Tradeston warehouse. He started his business [Clyde Knitwear Limited] in 1972 but industrial strikes meant business suffered, so he adapted and started a cash and carry. He started buying from big brands like Levi’s. With fashions changing so drastically over the 70s and 80s a lot of stock wasn’t sellable. He cleared a lot, but some ended up unsold. He boxed it up and over time it was forgotten about. Until now, that is.
The very first box I looked in was a mix of 70s Levi’s cords and bleached denims – all in perfect condition, with tags. I mean, I could hardly believe my eyes. I tore open a second box of denim jackets. I spent the rest of the day there and uncovered hundreds of amazing styles. People call it the ‘Aladdin’s Cave in brown’, because there are just piles of boxes lying everywhere.
What did you decide to do with it? I didn’t really know what to do at first – I’m not in that business – but I asked around and contacted vintage clothing stores. Somebody told me about Sloan’s Market, just off Buchanan Street. I started a stall there a few weeks ago and the response was pretty overwhelming. People’s reactions were priceless. Not only was it a big hit with retro clothing fans, but a surprising number of people actually owned the same item 30 years ago! So, what have you got? There’s stuff from Levi’s, Lee, Wrangler, Brutus, Lonsdale, Lois, Gap Jeans as well as my father’s own knitwear brand ‘Tops of Scotland’ [think 80s golfwear, primary-coloured Pringle and Lyle & Scott lookalikes]. There’s also acid-washed clothing, sleeveless denim jackets, 100% Shetland wool and lambswool knitwear, shiny trousers, batwing jackets, and some crazy acrylic and crimpolene numbers! Some items are surprisingly stylish, and of course there are a few styles that are so garish they’re hilarious.
Available from Sloan’s Market, Glasgow, every Sat & Sun, 11am–5pm, or online from www.retro-guy.com. A small selection of Retro-Guy clothing is available from Mr Ben, King Street, Glasgow, and Not Now Cato, De Courcy’s Arcade, Cresswell Lane, Glasgow.