Lifestyle Shopping&Fashion
Bold as Barras
‘At the Barras it’s better’, particularly since a new breed of neo-crafters and chic fashion moguls have moved in, discover Lindsey Johnstone and Claire Sawers
Che Camille’s new shop overlooking the Barras courtyard
T he Barras have been synonymous with Glasgow for over a century, since the first traders set up shop at the now sprawling East End site. In more recent times they have also become somewhat synonymous with knock-off designer gear, dodgy deals and a place to buy cheap lighters.
But a new breed of Barras traders, led by the ladies at Made in the Shade and Che Camille, is staging a revival, shaping a community of local creatives and giving them a physical space to sell their wares. Carrie Maclennan, one half of craft collective, Made in the Shade (they moved in at the Barras Centre in September and now run the weekly indie craft and vintage market, Supermercado there) explains the appeal of the location and what the ‘new Barras’ means to her. ‘My business partner Clare and I both live in the East End and we’ve never really had the chance before to contribute to our local area. The Barras is one of our favourite hotspots, and owner and founder Mrs McIver is an inspirational figure in Glasgow’s history – a one woman market mistress who started her own little empire from one stall.
‘For us “the new Barras” isn’t about wiping out the existing market or gentrifying it to within an inch of its life. The Barras is pretty amazing just as it is; it brings together lots of elements of Glasgow life – fun, wit, resourcefulness, enterprise. We want to join in and just add a fresh, new dimension to shopping there.’
Camille Lorigo, a New York transplant and founder of Glasgow’s local couture hub Che Camille – the boutique and workshop which
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recently moved premises from Buchanan Street to the Barras – is also a key player in the new mood there.
‘We’re trying to provide a platform to help artists and designers learn how to trade and run their businesses, and to help consumers see the value in the way things used to be. Other cities have weekly that are commercially successful, so why shouldn’t Glasgow?’ indie markets
Like Made in the Shade, which runs a programme of dressmaking workshops, screenprinting classes and seasonal events out of their new Barras HQ, Lorigo is also keen to use the space for fashion shows, parties and photo shoots. US fashion magazine Nylon was recently over, shooting Che Camille wares in the Barras courtyard, and last month Camille threw the Vogue Ball, under the Barras’ pink- neon-lit roof, fusing clubnight Menergy’s italo- disco soundtrack with catwalk strutting, pouting drag queens, and dance-offs in leather leotards. ‘Giant superstores have squashed the demand for specialist traders, which is a shame. But luckily we live in times where people are starting to take more of an interest in shaping their city through a mix of social and commercial involvement. This is the ethos behind our space at the Barras.’
The Barras official ‘Christmas Lights Switching On’ day is Sat 4 Dec. See www.wearemadeintheshade.com or www.checamille.com for info. For video footage of The Vogue Ball, see Che Camille’s Facebook page.
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CHRISTMAS MARKETS GRANNY WOULD BE PROUD A spread of jams, T-shirts, gift baskets, toys and more will be for sale at this string of festive dates from the excellent GWBP team. Roast chestnuts and mulled wine served too. The Hillhead Bookclub, 17 Vinicombe Street,Glasgow, Sun 5, 12 & 19 Dec, noon–7pm, see Facebook for event info.
HIDDEN POP-UP SHOP Goodies include Bonnie Bling jewellery, Wonky Woolie knits and prints by local artists. Plus local DJs, retro computer games and a free drink to greet you. Unit 24A, Hidden Lane, 1103 Argyle St, Glasgow, every Thu until Christmas, 5–9pm, www.muchtoofun.co.uk
FUNK FAIR Clothes and collectibles from vintage dealers and designers including Rowanjoy and Godiva. Café Camino, St Mary’s Hall (between John Lewis & St Mary’s Cathedral), Edinburgh, Sat 11 Dec, 10am–6pm, (£1), see Facebook page for info. WELCOME HOME POP-UP SHOP Selling origami Christmas trees, Hilary Grant mountain cushions, A Alicia accessories, Fun Makes Good, Lovely Pigeon, Millergoodman’s Shapemaker and lots more. CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, Sat 4 Dec–Thu 23 Dec, 11am–7pm, opening night Fri 3 Dec, 7–9pm. www.welcomehomestore.co.uk
BOOKMARKET The Bookshop takes over the gallery for one night. David Shrigley will be signing books, plus there’ll be mince pies, mulled wine and gift ideas from local crafters/ designers, including The Lindström Effect and Edinburgh Printmakers. Fruitmarket Gallery, Market St, Edinburgh, 6.30–10pm, Thu 9 Dec, fruitmarket.co.uk
THE EDINBURGH ETHICAL CHRISTMAS FAIR More than 30 exhibitors from Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria and . . . Caledonia, selling fair trade chocolate, eco-gadgets, jewellery and more. With hot curries, mulled cider and free samples. Castle St, Edinburgh, Sat 11–Sun 19 Dec, 10am–6pm. MAGPIE MARKET Featuring local designers, with zines, crafts, vintage clothes, illustration, jewellery and knitwear. Free entry, and goody bags if you show up early. The Lot, 4-6 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Sun 12 Dec, noon–5pm, magpiemarket.blogspot.com
MERRIMENT MAKERS This shop front/ artist’s studio hosts a pop-out boutique, showcasing Scottish designers’ homewares, cakestands, bespoke tights and more. With carol singers, mince pies and mulled wine. 203 The Pleasance, Edinburgh, Sat 4 Dec & Sun 5 Dec, 10am-8.30pm, www.studio203gallery.blogspot.com PETITE NOEL A festive soirée of vintage fashion, homebakes and zines, plus the Gift Wrap Deli, a pick’n’mix of handmade gift wrap, ribbons and tags. 5–9pm, Wed 15 Dec, West Church Hall, Roseangle, Dundee, www.dundee-jamboree.blogspot.com